Gurugram : In the case of Society of Enlightenment and Voluntary Action vs Union of India, the Supreme Court has issued important guidelines regarding the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of children suffering from child marriage. In part nine of the judgment, the court directed the National Legal Services Authority to prepare a standard operating procedure, which contains a detailed outline of the legal aid and long-term rehabilitation to be given to the victims. This process will serve as a guide for advocates, law enforcement officials and all stakeholders involved in child protection.
In compliance with these instructions, the National Legal Services Authority has prepared a standard operating procedure for the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of child marriage. This process strengthens coordination between various institutions and ensures the shared participation of all concerned parties, so that an organized and effective action against child marriage is possible.
Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Gurugram, Rajat Verma informed that for the effective implementation of this process, a special unit has been formed by the Chairman of District Legal Services Authority, which has been named “ASHA” (Awareness, Cooperation, Assistance and Action).
This unit includes the Additional Chief Justice of the Family Court, Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Panel of Advocates, Para Legal Volunteers, Child Welfare Committee Members, Police Liaison Officer, District Child Protection Unit Officer, Education and Health Department Representatives and other related stakeholders.
The major roles of ASHA unit include creating awareness against child marriage, providing legal aid and mental support to the victim children, coordinating rescue and security operations, providing assistance in rehabilitation and social reintegration of victims, and identifying and supporting those children who can be included in foster care under Mission Vatsalya Scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development.
After the formation of ASHA unit, it is continuously working to provide information about various support services to the general public. The non-governmental organization Shakti Vahini is also fully cooperating in this work, which is organizing awareness camps at various places.
The major services about which the ASHA unit is providing information to the public include 1098 Bal Sahayata Seva for helping children in distress, Child Marriage Free India Portal for registering and complaining about child marriage, and 15100 counseling service for legal aid.
This standard operating procedure prepared for the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of child marriage and the coordinated structure of the ASHA unit is an organized, sensitive and effective initiative, which is a strong step towards the elimination of child marriage.