Karnataka govt ropes in PU college teachers to help curb child marriage menace

Karnataka's women and child welfare department has entrusted pre-university college principals with a new responsibility - acting as 'child marriage prohibition officers (CMPOs)' - in a renewed effort to curb child marriages in the state. The February 4 order ropes in PU college principals, along with the director of child protection directorate and district coordinators of child helplines, in the fight against the social menace, arming them with the authority to intervene the moment they receive a tip-off about a potential child marriage. The CMPOs can stop the marriage and initiate police action against those involved. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent data showing a sharp rise in child marriages. Reported cases surged from 328 in 2022-23 to a troubling 719 in 2023-24.