Koraput: At least 512 tribal children aged between 12 and 16 years pledged that they would not marry before the permitted age of 18 and try to ensure stop of child marriage in all forms in their locality.
The children took the pledge while taking part in one-day film festival titled Kallol, where various short films of 30, 60 and 90 seconds duration focussing on child rights were screened at the town on Friday.
"A year ago, my parents had fixed my marriage. But, I was opposed to it as I wanted to study. Even though my decision of not getting married hurt my parents, I am happy today as I am able to continue my studies," said Anand Pangi, a 14-year-old Class VIII tribal student of Pottangi.
Pangi was one of the children, who vowed against the ill practice of child marriage.
"Film is a strong medium of disseminating information, and such short films on child rights is surely a unique step and will go a long way in generating awareness among the masses in the district's tribal pockets," said Koraput zila parishad president Prabhu Jani.
"The elders should change their attitude towards child, so that violence against children could be minimised," he said.
As many as five short films in Odia, based on themes such as child marriage, child labour and school dropout, were screened in the festival organised by local voluntary organisation Sova in collaboration with Unicef and Aaina, an organisation working for the child rights in the state.
"To contain violence against children, we have to bring a change in the mindset of the elders. Child protection committees should be formed to stop violence, especially with respect to child marriage, child labour, migration and school dropout," said Sova secretary Sanjit Patnaik.
Officials said that at least 20 child carriages could be stopped in the district in the past two years owing to the prompt action of the authorities.
"Most of the child marriage incidents go unreported. However, whenever we get complain about child marriage, with help of police we intervene. Parents have been counselled to send their children back to school," said Koraput district child protection officer Rajshree Das.
