Journey of a Good Samaritan for a Child Marriage Free Society

21/02/25

Success Stories

13

“From childhood we are being told not to raise voice against elders, especially parents. But this Udaan project has given me the necessary confidence to take decision and negotiate with my parents to prevent my marriage at a tender. My dream is to make a Baal Vivah Mukt Bihar, just in line with the dream of the Government of India”, says the young champion Neha.

17-year-old Neha Khatoon is far more matured than children of her age; she lives with her parents and two siblings at Bardaha Panchayat in Chakia Block under East Champaran district in Bihar, India. Her father is a tailor and mother a homemaker. Her father barely earns to look after his family and meet up with daily necessities. Neha presently studies in class VIII in middle school Bardaha.

This little girl struggled a lot in her early life and had to forego studies after completing class V. She later fell victim to social norms prevalent in the society and had to be out of school to assist her mother in household chores.

It was during this time; Neha came across adolescent group formed in her village under adolescent empowerment project supported by Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children) and UNICEF-Bihar. Impressed with the activities and purpose of adolescent group she later became member of Sohana Adolescent Group in Feb 2024. She turned out to be a regular member and learnt about child rights, life skills and laws and legislations specially child labour and child marriage. Earlier Neha, was pressurised by her family to affirm for marriage proposals that were coming. These proposals, she evaded through her built up negotiation skills.

Young Neha grew in strength and empowerment day by day after becoming member of adolescent group. She with support of other group members formed a small troop to stage skit play on child marriage, child labour highlighting importance of Beti Padhao Beti Bachao. She spread awareness on child marriage and child labour through skit play a medium directly impacting on perception of people and community. Neha has become a household name in her community because of the sustained campaign she spearheaded against chid marriage and also firmed up a narrative against child marriage.

Neha nurses ambition for becoming an IAS which would give her both power and legitimacy to curb menace of child marriage at the district and state. These intensive activities, have garnered her the acknowledgement by the District Magistrate of East Chowparan, Shri Saurabh Jorwar (IAS) on 15th February, 2025 on the occasion of 10th Anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign of Government of India.

Gaurav Sharma

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