December 18, Bhubaneswar 2018
State level media consultation workshop on child marriage and SRHR issues was organised to amplify issues and concerns related to child marriage and to develop a way forward to prevent child marriage and strengthen SRHR services. Along with 36 media personnel from print and electronic media, community stakeholders like, adolescents, youths participated in the programme and shared some of the best practices as well as issues as challenges at the ground level. The consultation was organised on 18th December 2018 at Hotel Presidency, Bhubaneswar.
Senior editors, journalists and columnists Mr.Harihar Mohapatra, Mr.Amiya Pandav, Mr. Saral Dash, Mr.Jatin Satpathy along with Ms.Snehanjali Mohanty from State Women Commission, Dr.Soumyakanta Mishra from Save the Children joined the programme and discussed on role and responsibility of media in highlighting and creating mass awareness on social issues like, Child Marriage, Child labour, Dowry, Child abuse etc.
In spite of several schemes and programmes, child marriage remains widespread in Odisha, disproportionately affecting girls and endangering their lives and livelihoods. Rooted in cultural tradition, religion and poverty, the practice not only violates human rights laws but also threatens stability and economic development. To address this issue, and to promote media engagement this programme was organised by VHAI with the objective to amplify issues and concerns related to child marriage