About South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA) :

South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA)works in the tribal districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, and Malkangiri in southern Odisha, focusing on the development of marginalized tribal communities, especially women and children. SOVA is dedicated to strengthening child protection systems, ending child marriage, preventing child labour, trafficking, violence, and sexual abuse. It promotes community-based care, implements child protection laws, and advocates for practices to prevent abuse and exploitation. SOVA collaborates with the government to provide support services, including counseling, education, and social protection, and works with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation to combat child marriage, trafficking, and sexual abuse.

Child marriage:

Child marriage is a grave violation of children’s rights, forcing them into adulthood before they are physically, mentally, or emotionally ready. It leads to severe consequences, including early pregnancies, maternal mortality, malnutrition, limited educational opportunities, domestic violence, and mental health issues. In India, over 12 million children were married before reaching the legal age, with the majority being girls. Despite efforts to reduce child marriage, the latest National Family Health Survey shows that it remains prevalent, with a national decline from 26.8% to 23.3%.

In districts like Koraput and Nabarangpur, child marriage remains widespread, especially among tribal communities, and often goes unnoticed or under-reported. A 2019 report indicated that Koraput accounted for 34% of child marriages in the state, with Nabarangpur having the highest rate at 39.4%. Although child marriage rates have decreased in some areas, the practice continues to pose a significant challenge, especially in rural and tribal regions of Odisha.

With the support of the Kailash Satyarthi Foundation, SOVA is actively implementing a vital campaign aimed at stopping child marriage, child trafficking, and sexual abuse among children in Koraput and Nabarangpur of Odisha. Through this initiative, SOVA is working tirelessly to raise awareness, educate communities, and provide support to vulnerable children to safeguard their rights and ensure their well-being. The campaign focuses on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, with the goal of creating a safer environment where children can grow up free from exploitation and harm. By collaborating with local authorities, organizations, and communities, SOVA is striving to create lasting change and protect the future of children in society.

South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA’s Intervention:

With the support of the Kalisah Foundation, South Orissa Voluntary Action (SOVA) has implemented a range of innovative programs aimed at empowering tribal communities in Odisha’s Koraput district. These initiatives include the integration of DHIMSA Community Radio to provide educational content in local dialects, the ‘ALOK’ bridge class program to mainstream dropout children, the creation of platforms for children and adolescents through Child Clubs and Adolescent Groups, and the maintenance of marriage registers in panchayats. Additionally, SOVA has conducted signature campaigns, incorporated the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) initiatives into its programs to engage community collectives, and raised awareness through puppet shows. These efforts have been instrumental in helping the community recognize the issues and take measures to reduce child marriage.