Minor girl defies forced marriage, runs away to complete inter exam

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Mar 17: A 16-year old girl ran away from her home defying
her parents plans to get her married off and took shelter in a government
home to complete her on going Intermediate examination. She has great
ambition to become a responsible citizen- rather than succumbing to the
family traditions. The defiance is costing her too much. She took all the
examinations under the protection of the police.
Like any other teenager, Priyanka of Malkapuram goes to the college everyday to write her ongoing intermediate first year examinations. But she is accompanied by a policewoman on her way to college, and after the exam she goes home not to her family, but to a women’s' shelter. Not only have the police been aiding her in her ambition, she has also been given asylum in the woman and child welfare department until she completes her intermediate course.
It all began a few weeks ago, when Priyanka's parents sprung the news of
Marriage proposals to her. Determined to complete her education, Priyanka
bluntly refused marriage. But her parents were adamant, and allegedly beat
her up and decided to force her into an illegal alliance. Seeing no way
out, Priyanka made a bid to escape. She slipped out of her house one day
and went straight to the woman and child welfare department. She was
received by project director who is also the protection officer of those
women seek protection related to Domestic Violence.
“Though it’s not a clear cut case of domestic violence, we have to treat
it as one since the girl approached us seeking shelter saying she was
being harassed and forcing marriage on her . The girl is not interested in
a marriage as she wants to continue her education. As she is a minor and
sought help from us we sent her to a shelter where the regular domestic
violence victims are put up. We would support her till she becomes a
major, ” said woman and child welfare department project director A
Roberts.
He adds that the minor was determined to complete her studies and eke out
her own living. After she escaped from her home and started living at the
shelter home near Chinawaltair, the intermediate first year examinations
begun.
Fearing that her parents might take her away with them when she goes out
to write her exam from the examination center, Priyanka approached the III
town police seeking an escort . The police arranged a woman constable who
escorts her daily to the examination center. “I’m determined to study
further. I don’t want to get married at this age. I know the importance of
education. I will join some professional course at the graduation level,”
said Priyanka who would be completing her inter exams on Tuesday in a confident note. She wants to take up part time work to support her education. “I know what I have chose and it’s not easy also. But I am ready to take up this challenge.” she added.