District Administration Longleng, Mission Shakti, District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Sakhi One Stop Centre Longleng in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit Longleng organised an Awareness Campaign on Prevention of Child Marriage on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, at the DCs Conference Hall, Longleng on 9th May 2025.
Deputy Commissioner Longleng, W. Manpai Phom NCS, in his keynote address said practice of child marriage is still prevalent in some parts of India but added that the practice in Nagaland since the time of the forefathers has not been seen. He emphasized that the Child Marriage Act 2006 has laid down provisions such as definition of child marriage as one where the groom is below 21 years of age and the bride is below 18 years of age, prohibition child marriages and makes them punishable by law for those who conduct, perform or direct it
Phom added that the Act provides legal protection to children and helps prevent child marriages and contribute to social change by promoting education, gender equality, and children's rights. He further encouraged the gathering to take serious note on the issue of child marriage prevalence continuing to work together to protect the children from this social evil.
District Child Protection Officer Longleng, Ketobu Vitsu, briefed the gathering on roles and responsibilities of Child Marriage Officer at the district level. He also urged the participants to disseminate information on Prevention on child marriage in churches and in villages.
Resource person Panel Lawyer DLSA, P. Mopnyei Phom, spoke on Child Marriage Act. Superintendent Observation Home Longleng, Rongsenyangla Ozukum and Project Coordinator, Child Helpline Longleng, Achung N. Phom, highlighted on the services offered under observation home and Child Helpline in the district.
Earlier the programme commenced with an invocation pronounced by Women Pastor Longleng, Town Baptist Church, K. Niamla Phom, while closing remark was given by Case Work OSC, Longleng, Yaumei Phom. The programme was chaired by SFL, DHEW Longleng, Afen Phom.
(Manjong, IA Longleng)
