1 RAIDS – . RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh, . Alleviate Child Marriages for Better Future 1. Organization Profile: ​ a) Introduction: a) Name & Address of the Organization: Rural Action In Development Society [RAIDS] H.No: 2-4-142, Near Government Junior College, Pulivendula – 516 390, Dist, A.P, S. India. b) Registration Numbers: Society or Trust Registration. No:251 / 1988 FCRA No.: 010160342 dated 16-08-2003 I. T. exemption 12A & PAN: F.No. HQrs. 1(159)/CIT/TPT/2003-04 I. T. exemption 80G:H. Qurs. No. I (287)/CIT/TPT/08-09 ​ PAN: AATR 7461A ​ ​ ​ c) Name of the head of the Organization & Position Mr. S.T. Raju – Project Director d) Telephone Numbers: +91- 8568 – 280363, 286359 Mobile: 08125504493, 09440013274 e) E-mail: [email protected] f) Bank Details: FCRA- Bank Account Number: 11146149422 Branch Code No. : 0989 Bank Name: State Bank of India, Pulivendula Branch, Pulivendula- 516390, Kadapa Dist, A.P. Rural Action In Development Society is a non-government organisation started its mission in the year 1988 with a purpose to empower women and children from 3600 families in 60 villages in 6 Mandals of .

RAIDS redefined its Vision and started working for the Alleviation of Child Abuse and Exploitation in ​ collaboration with TDH-NL. Out of its field experience RAIDS have realized that child marriages are also perpetuating sexual abuse and exploitation of girl children and started focusing on the issue of child marriages along with child rights protection. To have deeper understanding and intensity of the issue of early child marriages RAIDS have started discussing with communities and other stake holders on the issue and conceived this Concept Note for further action.

RAIDS have gained substantial experience in dealing the child rights issues through TDH-NL supported Alleviation of Child Abuse and Exploitation project initiatives.

RAIDS also have adequate expertise in; ▪ Social mobilization, institution capacity building, designing awareness camps, conducting participatory trainings and IEC material development on child rights.

2 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh. ▪ Promoting net works on child rights and other social issues at district level.

▪ Skills in lobbying and convergence with government, police, local PRIs and other stake holders.

2. Title of the Concept Note : Alleviate Child Marriages for Better Future

3. Submitted to : Donor/International INGO 4. Context: Child marriage in India is prevailing since very long period. Marriage systems and practices vary by region, caste and tribe.Though there is variation in degrees but the problems remain same in all castes and all regions. Cultural traditions and customs, economic hardship, poverty, educational backwardness and social pressure from within the community to marry daughters before attaining puberty are some reasons for sustenance of child marriage. Rates of child marriage are higher in the North-West and lower in the South-East of the country. The states with the highest rates of child marriage (50% and above) are Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. But even in low prevalence states there may be pockets of with high rates of child marriage. According to a recent district-level household and facility survey (DLHS), conducted for the Health Ministry, Andhra Pradesh stands one of the highest incidences of Child marriages (64%) for child marriage of women in their early twenties reported having been married by the age of 18.

According to Indian law, child marriage is defined as “A marriage where either the woman is below age 18 or the man is below age 21”. Indian census 2001 report reveals 1.4 million married girls in the age 10-14, and 11.3 million married girls are in the age 15-18 are classified under early marriage category. This shows the magnitude of the issue.

The effect of Early Child Marriage opens the door to an endless and vicious cycle of domestic violence and abuse, increased risk in health due to early motherhood, reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS finally resulting increased IMR and MMR.

3 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh. Economically child marriage violates the child’s right to education. Children remain illiterate and unskilled, which in turn limits their opportunities for economic employment and economic independence as an adult.

Though some efforts were taken by social reformers like Sri. Raja Ram Mohan Ray to prevent child marriages, this problem is posing a daunting challenge as there is negative response from the parents as they find it hard to resist economic, cultural and societal pressures. Adding to this enforcement machinery of legislations, laws and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act is reported to be weak.

However, the positive side is, wide spread of education and consistent efforts of civil society organizations for advocacy against the practice of child marriage may change the societal mind set in the long run. b) Situation that is predicted in Andhra Pradesh: In the light of division of state and priority of government on infrastructure development, it is expected that the welfare of the poor is kept aside for time being for want of resources which reflects in forceful with drawl of child from school and engage them in work for family survival and increased social pressure on child marriages, as the family fears to provide security to girl child at time of migration. Therefore the existing geo political conditions are not conducive for child marriage prevention further it will perpetuate the problem.

The selected Kadapa District is constitute with majorly backward Mandals and communities are governed by the traditions and customs like; Dowry, Gender discrimination. This traditions perpetuate the girl child related issues like discrimination in 9 Mandals in Kadapa District are known for backwardness in terms of higher concentration of vulnerable castes droughts and migration and is one of the transit points for child trafficking with 981/1000 sex ratio) 63.68%. Literacy and 700mm rainfall (As per the 2011 census). ● It is observed there is 60%dropout at high schools particularly girl children. ● 67% of children is reported as working children. ● The demand for female working child is (39%) it is 12% more to male working child, hence issue of commercial sexual exploitation of child.

This is an alarming situation in the present context of new administration and management that no forum/collective voiced out issues concerning the child marriage during the Separate State Movement. As usual children received no support from any of the parties hence justice due to them seems denied.

c) Purpose: The purpose of this concept note is to consolidate RAIDS experience on child marriage by analysing existing situation, vulnerability, existing systems and challenges and to 4 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh. evolve a way forward with a concrete action as a pilot project in 9 Mandals of YSR Kadapa District.

d) Problem Analysis: The major issue encountered by the vulnerable girl children is Early Marriage associated with Abuse and Exploitation. The important causes that sustain the practice of child marriage are culture and traditional attitude of parents( girl child is considered as burden) poor family income, Dowry, lack of education and awareness on consequences of child marriages, inability of parents to provide safety from sexual violence, in-effective implementation of law and action by administration cause and effect of child marriage: Effects: The effects of child marriage is multi dimensional as it contribute to violation of child rights, denial of basic rights of good health, nutrition, education, freedom from violence, abuse and exploitation. Increased social responsibilities, higher domestic violence, early pregnancy and increased IMR and MMR.

Imposing restrictions on Girl child mobility, development, participation in decision making process both at home and community and increased social pressure on girl child marriage particularly in backward families.

PROBLEM TREE

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To address this core issue a pilot intervention is conceived as” Alleviate child marriage for better future“ is focused in 6 Mandals in Kadapa District where the existence of more vulnerable families/ communities (Scheduled Tribes, ​ Muslim minorities and Scheduled Caste-76.69%) and incidences of child marriages are at higher degree 54% girls children are in the potential age group for child marriage (12-17) The average literacy is 48% and it is 70% among the girls. As a pilot intervention RAIDS shall concentrate its efforts in 9 Mandals covering 25000 Marginalized families. From the available information there are 1663 child marriages have taken place in these Mandals at an average of 332.6% per year (2010 -2015) as there is constant drought and strong community norms exist and the institutional services are not so effective in controlling the incidences. They need the support to overcome from this problem by way of assisting them to acquire capacities to promote, prevent, protect, prosecute and to with stand from the adverse situations emerged out of early marriage.

Overall Objective: Alleviate early child marriages through enhanced public private collaboration, networking, effective law enforcement and livelihood promotion.

The specific objectives are as follows; ● Educate the stakeholders in 9 Mandals through information sharing, awareness generation on the impact of early marriages and early pregnancy on health, education and society at large. ● Build the capacities of local institutions and stakeholders in the project area (SHGs, Youth, local bodies, police and judiciary). For increased participation and to take appropriate action in implementing Promotion, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution ​ (PPPP) Strategy in alleviating child marriages. ​ ● Lobbying and networking with other networks (CACL, Child line, Child welfare committee, district child protection unit and ICDS) for solidarity in addressing issues related to child marriages. ● Enhanced lively Livelihood opportunities to the victims through mobilization of safety nets, incentives, micro credit and vocational skill building. 6 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh.

OBJECTIVE TREE:

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The broad Intervention Strategies encompass Promotion, Prevention, Protection Prosecution to ensure the girl child enjoys her natural development process. Expected Results: The anticipated results of this pilot intervention are; ● There is a behavioral change communication among all stake holders. ● Increased awareness and community participation in effective implementation of laws pertaining to prohibition of child marriages ● Adolescent girls are able to raise their voice against to child marriage and protest the occurrence of child ​ marriages. ● Community based organizations/women groups are enlightened and work towards prohibition of child marriages on sustainable basis. ● Health and nutritional status of adolescent girls is improved and contribute reduction in IMR and MMR

Proposed Actions: a) Promotional: ● Awareness camps and campaigns on consequences of child marriage. ● Starting adolescent associations /groups. ● Establishment of special cell which works on child marriage (data collection, counseling, mobilization of safety nets) ● Development and distribution of IEC materials for behavioral change communication. ● Counseling on Marriage cum pregnancy, ● On site visits cum Group meetings and group education (To respond to anxieties ,fears ,information gaps, stress, anger, aggression, depression, loneness and related mental and emotional needs for the well being of adolescent girls)r. b) Prevention: ● Mass and media Campaign on child marriage and its consequences. ● Girl child School enrolment drive. ● Vocation and lively hood trainings ● Orientation and training to stake holders (Govt. officials, elected representatives and community-based workers including development activists on the legal provisions and policy related information for promoting delayed marriage.) ● Micro credit and livelihood promotion ● Sensitization camps to PRI, Representatives (Ward members, Serpenches, Opinion leaders and others)

c) Protection: ● Network of NGOs and other private and public agencies. ● Organizing health camps in association with PHC on various endemic, infectious and communicable diseases HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted 8 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh. ● Mobilize Safety nets & welfare schemes to victims.(Support and aid including medical aid, legal aid, counseling and rehabilitation support to rescued children) ● Convergence with police, ICDS, judiciary for prevention from immoral trafficking and rehabilitation of trafficked victims ● Lobbying on Effective enforcement of Juvenile Justice Act and rehabilitation of such Girls is required d) Prosecution of Offenders:

Features of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 ● Child marriages to be voidable at the option of contracting party being a child

● Provision for maintenance and residence to female contracting party to child marriage

● Custody and maintenance of children of child marriages

● Legitimacy of children born of child marriages

● Power of District court to modify orders issued under section 4 or section 5

● Punishment for male adult marrying a child

● Punishment for solemnizing a child marriage

● Punishment for promoting or permitting solemnization of child marriages

● Marriage of a minor child to be void in certain circumstances

● Power of court to issue injunction prohibiting child marriages

● Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable

● Appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers Compulsory

● Registration of Marriages Act, 2006 and state initiatives ● Filing cases under prohibition of child marriage act. ● Referrals to CMPO ● Legal aid support to victims.

Key stakeholder’s Analysis: ​ The important stake holders in the process of alleviate child marriages are Parents, Teacher, Panchayat members, police Special Juvenile Police Unit District magistrate, child marriage prohibition officer and general mandal administrative officers(MRO,MPDO,ICDS, PHC staff)These key stake holders are expected to play the stipulated roles contributive for controlling child marriages in their jurisdiction Intervention Management: The key components of the management of the intervention are managed by the community

9 RAIDS – Andhra Pradesh. a) Planning is done by way of involving community at gross root level through Annual Plans, Action plans, Annual Work & Finance Plan and Financial Plan. b) Monitoring is done by the core staff of the project through field visits, monthly report, target and achievement analysis and experience sharing and review meets. Triangulation and feedback systems. c) Evaluation of project outcome is done through internal and external joint evaluation on regular intervals. The lessons learnt are integrated and incorporated in future plan d) Sustainability is ensured by way of awareness generation, institutional capacity building, convergence and networking of stakeholders.

S. Thyagaraju, Director – RAIDS. E mail: [email protected] ​ ​

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