In a landmark move toward eradicating underage unions, the Deogarh district administration has declared all religious institutions as "Child Marriage Free Zones." Following in the footsteps of Ganjam and Gajapati, Deogarh is poised to become the third district in Odisha to achieve this status.
According to District Child Protection Officer Romeo Mohapatra, child marriage rates in the district dropped from 23% in 2014 to 19% in 2021. Under the "Veerangana" initiative, 364 villages and 11 wards were recently certified child marriage-free.
Key Enforcement Measures:
Mandatory Registry: Anganwadi workers must now record all marriages in official government registers.
Task Forces: Specialized committees headed by Sarpanches are monitoring rural blocks.
Incentives: A ₹3,000 reward is offered for information on illegal ceremonies.
Helplines: 24-hour support is available via 1098 (Childline) and 181 (Women’s Helpline).
The state aims for a completely "Child Marriage Free Odisha" by 2030.