Child marriage cases are on the rise in Kerala going by the data of the  State Crime Records Bureau.  Last year, till November,  17 cases were registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act  whereas the number  was  eight  in 2016 and 13 in 2015.

As per the latest data (provisional) published on the official website of the Kerala police, 19 cases were registered in 2014, 11 in  2013 and six in 2012. At least 108 child marriages have been stopped in Malappuram, which is the most child-populated district in the state, according to the Childline data.

“The Childline gets five cases of child marriage every month in the district on an average.  Despite the promulgation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act -2006, there is no  change in the attitude of the people. The vacation (April-May) is the favourable time for parents to solemnise such marriages. Childline has alerted  volunteers to stop  child marriages in the initial stages itself,” said  Anwar Karakkadan, coordinator, Childline, Malappuram.

“The Childline gets five cases of child marriage every month in the district on an average.  Despite the promulgation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act -2006, there is no  change in the attitude of the people. The vacation (April-May) is the favourable time for parents to solemnise such marriages. Childline has alerted  volunteers to stop  child marriages in the initial stages itself,” said  Anwar Karakkadan, coordinator, Childline, Malappuram.

 

source: Deccan Herald