Efforts to Curb Early Marriage and Pregnancy Intensified in Jharkhand’s Khunti District

In response to the birth of a baby to a 14-year-old girl in the Khunti district of Jharkhand, officials are planning to increase their focus on preventing early marriage and teenage pregnancy. The girl was involved in a live-in relationship with a boy who was two years older, with the consent of her parents, as per tribal traditions. The District Child Protection Officer stated that the girl gave birth to a baby girl at the Khunti district hospital. The official revealed that the authorities intend to intensify awareness campaigns in collaboration with NGOs and civil society organizations across the 86 gram panchayats within Khunti. The goal is to educate communities and minors, particularly on the health, mental health, educational, and societal consequences of early pregnancy, with the hope of discouraging similar instances in the future.