Urgent Need for Stronger Action as Child Marriages Persist in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Despite various government efforts, child marriage continues to be a pressing issue in Odisha, with over 8,100 cases reported in the past six years. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, speaking in the Assembly on February 15, revealed that the highest number of cases were recorded in tribal-dominated districts, where girls’ school dropout rates are also alarmingly high.

According to district-wise data shared in the Assembly, Nabarangpur district reported the highest number of cases with 1,347 incidents, followed by Ganjam (966 cases) and Koraput (636 cases). These figures underscore the persistence of child marriage, particularly in Odisha’s tribal and rural areas.

Social activist Ghasiram Panda, who has been actively raising awareness about child marriage, clarified that the numbers cited by Deputy Chief Minister Parida represent cases that were successfully prevented. “The Assembly record states that 8,100 child marriage cases came to the notice of the government in the last five years. However, as per my knowledge, these are the cases that were successfully stopped,” he stated.

Panda further emphasized that the actual number of child marriages could be much higher, as many cases go unreported or are conducted in secrecy.

Odisha has implemented several schemes to combat child marriage, including the Advika program, the Aparajita campaign, and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. Acknowledging these initiatives, Panda praised their impact, stating, “We have seen positive results from the Advika program and Aparajita Campaign in Koraput. Many young girls have benefitted from these schemes and are now raising their voices against child marriage.”

However, he also suggested establishing a comprehensive mechanism to track both child marriages that occur and those that are prevented. “In Nayagarh district, an OLIVA register is maintained at every Anganwadi Center, where a record of underage girls is kept and monitored. Implementing such a practice statewide would help gather more accurate data and facilitate timely interventions,” he recommended.

Panda also noted a gap in tracking dropout rates under the Advika initiative. “If we could maintain proper records of school dropouts through Advika, it would enhance the program’s effectiveness,” he added.

In October 2024, the Supreme Court recommended that states take additional measures to curb child marriage. The recommendations included appointing Exclusive Child Marriage Prohibition Officers and integrating sex education into school curriculums.

“We must implement the Supreme Court’s recommendations and strengthen our engagement with tribal and religious leaders,” said Panda. He emphasized that child marriage is not just a legal issue but a socio-cultural and economic challenge. “While awareness programs have helped reduce cases, stronger and more targeted interventions are needed in certain regions to eliminate this social evil,” he concluded.