Photographers and videographers vow to prevent child marriages in Khammam

Khammam: The authorities of Childline-1098 sought the cooperation of the proprietors of photography and videography studios to stop child marriages in the district. An awareness programme was organised for photographers and videographers on child rights and Prohibition of Child Marriages Act 2006 here on Wednesday under the aegis of the Childline-1098. Addressing the gathering Childline-1098 […]

Khammam: The authorities of Childline-1098 sought the cooperation of the proprietors of photography and videography studios to stop child marriages in the district. An awareness programme was organised for photographers and videographers on child rights and Prohibition of Child Marriages Act 2006 here on Wednesday under the aegis of the Childline-1098. Addressing the gathering Childline-1098 district coordinator K Srinivas said photographers and videographers were an essential part of marriage ceremonies. Hence they should make sure that the bride and groom entering the wedlock were majors in age.

If either bride or groom was minor in age they should immediately alert the officials at Childline’s emergency number 1098. As per the law the priest performing the nuptials, function hall proprietor, photographers and relatives attract punishment if they were part of a child marriage, he explained. Srinivas recalled an incident wherein a photographer in Khammam was punished for taking wedding photos at a minor’s marriage. Hence every photographer and videographer has to display a notice stating that they would not take photos at child marriages.

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Displaying such notices at temples and masjids yielded good results in the past. It also helps parents to abstain from arranging marrying off their children who were still minors in age, he noted. Speaking on the occasion Telangana Photographers and Videographers Association president Shaik Hussain promised to extend the association’s support to prevent child marriages. Notices against child marriages would be displayed at every photography and videography studio in the State.

Around 300 photographers and videographers attended the programme and took a pledge towards prevention of child marriages. Anti-Human Trafficking Unit head Narasimha Rao, members Anusha, Gurumurthy and others were present.