Hyderabad: Panchayat Raj and Women & Child Welfare Minister Seethakka directed officials to intensify efforts to achieve a child marriage-free Telangana and prevent child marriages across the state.
Addressing a state-level review meeting on Mission Vatsalya and the Saksham Anganwadi programme in Hyderabad on Saturday, she said child marriages continue to occur in some regions and require sustained intervention.
The Telangana State Child Rights Protection Commission organised the meeting, while commission chairman Sita Dayakar Reddy presided over the programme.
Child marriage-free Telangana requires stronger awareness efforts
Meanwhile, Seethakka stressed the need for extensive awareness campaigns to strengthen child protection mechanisms.
She said officials should work to reduce incidents of child abuse. Additionally, they should focus on minimising offences related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Further, the minister outlined several welfare initiatives introduced by the government for women and children.
She also urged officials from all departments to coordinate closely and ensure effective implementation of child welfare programmes.
Additionally, Women and Child Development Department Secretary Anita Ramachandran attended the meeting.
She, in turn, called on officials to make every effort to implement policies related to women and child welfare effectively.
Meanwhile, the review meeting focused on the progress of Mission Vatsalya and the Saksham Anganwadi programme across Telangana.
The participants also discussed measures to strengthen child protection systems and improve welfare delivery mechanisms.