By Fr Mayank Parmar sdb

Don Bosco Kawant and Don Bosco Kapadvanj, in collaboration with Just Rights for Children, organized Voices of Survivors Workshops across three districts of Gujarat — Anand, Vadodara, and Chhotaudepur — as part of a nationwide campaign for child rights and justice.

Just Rights for Children is a nationwide movement dedicated to ensuring access to justice for children and safeguarding their rights. The movement spans more than 400 districts across 28 states and union territories of India. Within Gujarat, two Don Bosco centres — DRISTI Don Bosco, Kapadvanj and DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant — have partnered with this initiative, focusing on raising awareness and strengthening community action to protect children.

As part of a week-long awareness campaign, a series of programmes were conducted in different regions, culminating in the Voices of Survivors Workshop. This initiative provided a safe and supportive platform where victims of child marriage could share their lived experiences — their pain, sorrow, and struggles — and, in turn, inspire others to take collective action to end this social evil.

The campaign reached out to three key districts of Gujarat:

• In Chhotaudepur district, the programme was hosted at DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, with 52 participants from Pavijetpur, Chhotaudepur, and Kawant blocks.

• In Anand district, the programme was held at Kanya Shala, Pandoli (Petlad block), bringing together 40 participants representing 12 villages.

• In Vadodara district, the event took place at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee Hall, Desar block, drawing 57 participants from 9 villages.

• In total, nearly 150 people actively engaged in the workshop across the three districts.

The schedule remained consistent at all venues, beginning with a prayer service and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolizing hope and collective resolve. This was followed by input sessions facilitated by experienced trainers: Mr Shailesh Parmar at Pandoli, Ms Vyom Vasavada at Desar, and Mr Dinesh Parmar at Kawant. Each of them guided participants in thoughtful discussions on the destructive consequences of child marriage, not only for the young girls and boys involved but also for their families and society at large.

The most poignant moment of the programme came during the second session, which invited survivors of child marriage to share their personal stories. At each centre, more than three survivors courageously spoke about the impact of child marriage on their education, health, family life, and emotional well-being. Their testimonies left a deep impression on the audience, stirring empathy and strengthening the resolve to eradicate this practice.

The post-lunch session brought together all three centres in a virtual gathering with the National Team of Just Rights for Children. Through an engaging webinar, participants connected with the larger movement, shared reflections, and exchanged perspectives with fellow campaigners across India. Importantly, all participants pledged their commitment to actively oppose child marriage, making the campaign not only a local initiative but also a significant contribution to the national movement.

Through these programmes, the DRISTI Don Bosco Kapadvanj and DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant in Gujarat have once again demonstrated their dedication to safeguarding the dignity and rights of children. By amplifying the voices of survivors and mobilizing communities, the campaign has taken a vital step forward in creating awareness, fostering empathy, and building a united front to end child marriage.