Panel Discussion on “Child Marriage and Adolescent Elopement: Strengthening Child Protection Through State and NGO Collaboration”

Bhabna Network is a network of organizations and individuals which has been working since 2012 to address child marriage in West Bengal.
Child marriage and adolescent elopement remain pressing issues in West Bengal, contributing to various adverse consequences such as truncated education, health risks, economic instability, and social marginalization. Despite efforts from various state agencies and NGOs working with children and youth, challenges persist in addressing these practices effectively.

In light of this, on 5th December, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Bhabna Network organized a Panel Discussion at Jyotirmai Club (37/1A Garcha Road, Kolkata – 700019) to bring together key stakeholders, including Bhabna Network members, State officials, child protection agencies, NGOs, and community leaders, to reflect on the root causes, existing frameworks, and innovative solutions to strengthen child protection in West Bengal.
Panellists included Yashabanti Sreeemany – member, WBCPCR; Mahua Sur Roy – Chairperson, CWC Kolkata, Adv. Partha Sarathi Das, LCPO, DCPU, Kolkata, Sulagna Mondal Bhowmick – Ex CCI Home Superintendent, Ex-ChildLine team member, Ex-CWC member and moderated by Aayesha Sinha – Founder Director of Talash.

This panel discussion served as a platform to bridge gaps between state initiatives and community-level interventions, fostering a supportive environment for adolescent rights and welfare in West Bengal. By collaborating closely, the State agencies and Bhabna Network members can drive meaningful change and ensure a safe and secure future for every girl child in the state.