DLSA Udhampur hosts Webinar on Child Marriage & Right to free Education Acts

Udhampur: District legal services Authority Udhampur hosted a webinar on ‘Prohibition of Child Marriage and Right of children to free and compulsory education on Tuesday via Google Meet.

Webinar was organized by Rajni Sharma, Sub judge, Secretary DLSA under the able guidance of Y.P Bourney, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Udhampur.

Beside others, Sub Judge, Samiriti Sharma, (Chairman TLSC Ramnagar); Munsiff Chenani Amandeep Kour ( Chairman TLSC Chenani); Munsiff Majalta Priyanka Mahajan ( Chairman TLSC Majalta) participated in the webinar.

The theme of the webinar was to address the key challenges faced in the adolescent empowerment and child marriage issue during this pandemic and due to the lockdown, the efforts of the government and the reality at the grassroots by bringing forth various key stakeholders involved in tackling the situation on the ground and to discuss Rights of children for free education.

The Programme started with the welcome address by Chairman DLSA Udhampur Yash Paul Bourney, Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Udhampur in which he said that child marriage is a menace that cannot be curbed without the support of the Society & apprised the participants about the various provisions of Child Marriage. Prohibition Act like the provisions for maintenance of girl child.

Anikta Sharma a Law student of National law college Shimla interlinked the problem of child marriage with Compulsory free education and stress for mass awareness to remove such black spot from society.

Speakers explained about reasons behind Child marriages and Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. They added that as per child marriage act 2006 if a marriage occurs between a boy who is aged between 18-21 years and a girl below the age of 18 years, it implies an imprisonment up to two year along with a fine of one Lakh rupees.

Speakers said that this act, enacted by Parliament of India on 4 August 2009, provides free and compulsory education for children between the age of 6 to 14 years in India.

Speakers who participated in the webinar were Resource persons Advocate Sanjeet Kumar (Panel Lawyer), Balwan Singh (Panel Lawyer), Advocate Tanya Mahajan(Panel Lawyer), Ms. Ankita Sharma 2nd year Law Student, National Law university Shimla, Malika Goutam Teacher( Govt. Higher Secondary School Chanunta), Rekha Thakur Poetess ,Aryan Sharma Student/NCC cadet, MAM college, Jammu, Pallavi Rajput, PSI police station Udhampur, students & staff of Govt. higher Secondary School Chanunta, Govt. High School, Smaroli, Roun & Govt. middle School, Birnoo participated.