The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Thrust on education to girl child

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Sunday, Sep 30, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Thrust on education to girl child

Special Correspondent

CM gives away Prasar Bharati-UNICEF awards

‘Many political leaders are attending child marriages’
Education up to Intermediate can solve many problems

- PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Reaching out: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy interacting with a girl during the presentation of Prasar Bharati-UNICEF awards on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has stressed on education of girl child as a pre-requisite for empowerment of women.

The State Government is taking all steps to see that girls are educated at least up to Intermediate level. Most of the problems associated with women can be resolved if they receive education up to Intermediate, Dr. Reddy said while giving away Prasar Bharati – UNICEF awards here on Saturday.

The awards were presented as part of a joint campaign by Prasar Bharati and UNICEF on girl child issues to coincide with the girl child week. The best producers and directors of short films and features for radio on the theme ‘age at marriage of girl child’ were adjudged winners.

Child marriages

Michel Saint, UNICEF Representative for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, said it was disturbing to note that child marriages continued in some districts of the State despite an enactment by the State Government making registration of all marriages compulsory.

Ironically, many political leaders participated in the weddings. Four girls, who were married at a very young age, narrated their traumatic experiences. N.G. Srinivasa, Deputy Director-General of Prasar Bharati, and Amala Akkineni, animal activist, also spoke.

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