Social welfare dept to train students as 'informers' to prevent child marriages

THE social welfare department in Coimbatore district plans to train youths, especially college students, in rural areas and appoint them as informers to monitor child marriages.

- R KIRUBAKARAN @ Coimbatore

A total of 37 child marriages was prevented in the district since January 2024 till February 2025. Of this, 12 marriages were stopped this year.

Officials said in most cases, child marriages come to their notice only when the victims are admitted to hospitals for pregnancy.

To address this issue, officials have planned to strengthen early intervention measures. Students are being roped in to be part of this network.

In 2024, 97 child marriages happened in the district. Through collaborative efforts, social welfare department and police prevented 37 marriages.