Tripura Launches Intensive Training to Combat Child Marriage

Agartala: Tripura officials started a three-day residential training program Tuesday to fight child marriage. The Directorate of Social Welfare and Social Education runs the initiative alongside UNICEF and Assam Don Bosco University. Held at the State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development in Agartala, the workshop gathers 30 participants from the Sepahijala, South Tripura, and Dhalai districts.

Attendees represent various vital groups. These include police, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Childline staff, and Child Marriage Prohibition Officers. Director L. Hrangchal opened the event by addressing the roots of the issue. He noted that child marriage persists because of gender inequality, harmful social norms, and economic instability. "Hrangchal called for deeper community engagement, urging involvement of religious leaders, Panchayati Raj members, teachers and social influencers."

The training aims to close remaining gaps in existing prevention efforts. UNICEF experts Sonali Mukherjee and Dr. Gitali Kakati are leading the sessions to improve community-level work. Participants will trade success stories and struggle reports throughout the week. The program hopes to better protect children through sustained behavioral change. Organizers pointed to the Balika Manch project in South Tripura as a successful model for this work.