Himanta Biswa Sarma impressed by young student Olivia Kalita's insightful suggestion on child marriage

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 8 praised Olivia Kalita, a young student from Handique Girls' College for her thought-provoking suggestion on child marriage and Nijut Moina scheme. The initiative, aimed at combating child marriage and trafficking, has sparked a broader conversation about gender roles and equality in Assam. The Chief Minister said, "I received a very good suggestion from a young student during the launch of the Nijut Moina Asoni. We will work upon the suggestion and do the needful in this regard on creating more awareness for boys to prevent child marriage."

Speaking to India Today NE, Olivia Kalita, who is pursuing her degree in English, shared her thoughts on the 'Nijut Moina' scheme, expressing concern that current efforts primarily focus on women and girls, often overlooking the need to educate boys on critical social issues like child marriage and child trafficking.

"Today morning, I did a little bit of research on the scheme and realized that while it covers important topics like child marriage, it predominantly focuses on women and girls. However, this one-sided approach can be detrimental in the long run if we don’t consider the role of boys in these issues," Kalita said.

Her critique centers on the need for a balanced approach to social issues, where both boys and girls are equally educated and involved. "Why teach about child marriage to women when the topic is not always forced by the woman’s side? Yes, sometimes it’s driven by the girl’s parents due to financial instability, but the boy’s family often initiates these marriages. It’s crucial to educate boys as well, as they are equally, if not more, responsible for perpetuating these practices," she said.

Kalita’s perspective is rooted in her personal experiences, having grown up in a household where her mother, a police officer frequently discussed the harsh realities of child trafficking and gender-based violence. "I’ve grown up hearing stories of child trafficking, mostly initiated by men. My mother always warned me about the dangers of going out alone because these things actually happen. It’s not just about protecting girls; boys need to be taught about respect, consent, and the consequences of their actions," she said.

One of Kalita’s key suggestions is the inclusion of comprehensive sex education in schools, which she believes is essential for preventing not only child marriage but also other forms of gender-based exploitation. "Sex education is one of the main things missing in our school system. If boys and girls were taught about safe sex, contraception, and mutual respect, we would see a decrease in harmful practices like child marriage and trafficking. It’s about breaking the cycle of patriarchy by ensuring both genders are equally informed and responsible," she said.

Kalita also touched upon the psychological impact of current government schemes that disproportionately favor girls, which she believes could inadvertently foster resentment among boys. "When the government provides all these resources—money, scooters, laptops—to girls while offering little to boys, it creates a sense of inequality. This could lead to boys harboring feelings of hatred towards girls, exacerbating the gender divide. Feminism is about equality, not putting one gender above the other. If boys are neglected now, we will continue the cycle of patriarchy in a different form," she said.

Her comments challenge the traditional understanding of feminism, advocating instead for true gender equality. "I don’t support the idea of feminism that elevates women at the expense of men. We need to treat both genders equally, and that starts with our government’s policies. If we don’t, we risk perpetuating the very patriarchal structures we’re trying to dismantle," Kalita said.