: In Just One Year, IAS Officer Saves 176 Kids From Child Marriage Amid COVID-19 #IndiaNEWS #Children Barely a week into his posting as the Zilla Parishad CEO, T Bhoobalan realised the severity of child

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In Just One Year, IAS Officer Saves 176 Kids From Child Marriage Amid COVID-19 #IndiaNEWS #Children
Barely a week into his posting as the Zilla Parishad CEO, T Bhoobalan realised the severity of child marriages in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. At the time, around July 2020, the administration was focused on handling the first wave of coronavirus and implementing lockdown restrictions.
As time went by, Bhoobalan was alarmed at the frequency of calls reporting child marriage. The 2015-batch IAS officer soon realised it was one of the major effects of the lockdown and subsequent loss of livelihoods. As families struggled to afford a four-square meal, girls below 18 were married off as a cost-cutting measure.
This was not an isolated challenge. In fact, between April and July 2020 alone, Karnataka reported 107 cases of child marriage.
Bhoobalan quickly became versed with the regional issues and found that child marriage is linked to other problems such as malnutrition, school dropouts, anaemia and maternal mortality. To solve these, he came up with a multi-pronged plan in July last year.
Exactly a year later, he and his team, comprising the gram panchayat, Anganwadi workers, police officers, revenue officers and school teachers, have managed to prevent 176 child marriages in the knick of time. They have filed FIRs in ten cases against parents for going through with the evil practice.
The Better India speaks to Bhoobalan about how he and his team managed to not only keep child marriages in check, but also rehabilitate underage girls and secure their future.
Anonymous reporting to online portal
An 8-year-old girl from Bagalkot was rescued by the administration
Bhoobalan first focussed on implementing immediate solutions.
He formed a committee of various government officials and school teachers to spread awareness and educate the people about The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. While taking meetings, the team also assured those calling in to report these marriages that their names will remain anonymous. Several brides don’t report as they fear their parents will not forgive them.
The complainants were asked to either call the 1098 helpline or contact their designated local official directly. Alongside releasing the numbers of the department, the IAS officer also gave out his own number.
The team was directed to work in unison to ensure swift rescue operations instead of waiting for the police to take action.
“While talking to the locals, we realised that the lockdown has also affected them psychologically. Elders in the family believe they will die from coronavirus and won’t get to see the wedding. So, many underage children are obligated to fulfil their family’s last wishes. Our team mitigated the panic.

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