Measures to check juvenile marriages, pregnancies

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Child Development and Women's Affairs Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hizbullah last week focused on the increasing number of juvenile marriages and juvenile pregnancies in the country and said that it has become a threat to the younger generation in a civilised society.

He said in addition to child abuse and rape cases, juvenile marriages and juvenile pregnancies are also reported from various parts of the country.

Deputy Minister Hizbullah told the Sunday Observer that creating awareness among schoolchildren, parents, elders and members of civil society on the unhealthy side of such issues is the best way to prevent them.

Quoting records, the Minister said males are mainly responsible for committing such uncivilised acts and therefore his Ministry has commenced a program for the first time in Sri Lanka under the theme 'Only for Males'.

"The 'Only for Males' program will be conducted to educate males on the gravity of such offences which are a threat to a cultured society such as ours," he said.

The Minister said awareness programs will also be carried out at every Divisional Secretariat for the benefit of elders to discourage juvenile marriages which generally take place with the consent of parents.

Deputy Minister Hizbullah highlighted the low standard of education, insecurity of underaged children, employment by mothers leaving young children, especially females at homes for foreign employment, allowing children to use mobile phones with internet facility and addiction to alcohol and cocaine as the main reasons for the increase in rape cases, child abuse, juvenile marriages and juvenile pregnancies.

The Minister said that 6,343 rape cases and 15,158 child abuse cases were reported from various parts of the country during the last five years.