For every girl whose story is told, and whose voice is heard, there are millions waiting for their stories to be heard..

Child Marriage is a long-standing problem. While awareness around the problem of child marriage is growing, for many people the question is -  How is it that, in the 21st century, girls are still being married off at such a young age? 

How can you be a part of this change?

The more people call for an end to child marriage, the more likely it is that decision-makers will hear us and act. Our children, with whom we work, have come up with a manifesto and they want you to support their voice:

1. Ensure the overall standard operating procedure guidelines in all the childcare institutions/ child homes is followed so that they remain in a developmental environment and protected from Abuse, Exploitation and Violence in all institutions. 

2. There should be a statewide-dedicated mechanism with adequate infrastructure and resources including proper medical facilities and rehabilitation to protect the rights of children regarding health, abuse or violence.

3. There should be social, political and legal initiatives to prevent all forms of violence against children such as child marriage, harmful work and bonded labor, sexual offenses and gender-based violence.

4. There should be a strong social, political will and legal mechanism in place for mandatory special Grama Sabha and implementation plans on ending child marriage & strengthening child protection mechanism.

5. We want massive awareness on ending child marriage, child sexual abuse and immediate response to it to be a part of the school curriculum.

6. The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) should be renewed and strengthened and more emphasis should be laid on having adequate and trained certified child protection workforce in all the districts.

7. Appointment to all positions on child protection should be adhered as outlined in the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and (POCSO) Act 2012.

8. Establishment of special POCSO and JJ courts as per law to ensure timely justice to child victims in all districts.

9. We want Child Friendly Spaces in Police Stations, where we can register complaints without any hesitation and without fear and access the justice.

10. Increase investment on social welfare workforce so that children who are separated from their parents or primary caregivers can be identified and helped, so that they can be reunited with their family and can be provided with alternative care & services.

11. Increase in the state budget for children under the State Child Protection Society (SCPS) and allocation of 1.5 percent of the total budget of the state.

12. We want a public demonstration of emergency contacts of Child Helpline - 1098 and Police Helpline - 100.