Dhanalaxmi, a 16-year-old girl child studying in class 11, was an active member of the Saraswati Vidyalaya Tuition centre children’s group in Shevapet, Salem. She has been well empowered with child rights and issues the identification methods to address them.

One day she received a call from her niece Ms Sandhya. The issue was that her parents were arranging a marriage for Ms Sandhya. Dhanalaxmi, out of concern, called Sandhya’s father and explained the implications post child marriage. She also said that she would complain to ChildLine if the marriage took place. After persuasion, Sandhya’s parents were able to understand the seriousness of the issue. As a result, Sandhya’s marriage was cancelled, and she was sent back to the school. One empowered child could make a difference, Ms. Sandhya would have been the victim of child marriage today.  But fortunately, she was rescued and continuing education.