India - 2 weeks ago

Women and Child Development Launches ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign

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In a significant step towards eradicating child marriage and empowering young girls across the nation, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, launched the national campaign “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” today in New Delhi. The event also saw the presence of Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, and other distinguished officials and stakeholders.

As part of the campaign, the Minister also inaugurated the Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal, an innovative online platform that enables citizens to report child marriage incidents, file complaints, and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) nationwide. The portal is a significant step in empowering citizens and enforcing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

In her keynote address, the Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized the significant strides made in the empowerment of women, citing the improvement in the sex ratio at birth from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. She reaffirmed that under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, marriages involving girls under 18 and boys under 21 are strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violators. The Minister also highlighted the success in preventing over a lakh of child marriages last year and acknowledged India’s contribution to the global reduction in child marriage rates, as recognized by the United Nations.

She further added that this campaign aims to empower our daughters by ensuring they receive the education, health, and protection they deserve. In line with the National Education Policy 2020, which prioritizes gender equality, our government continues to implement initiatives that support girls’ education and social empowerment. The launch of this campaign is not just an event; it is a mission to eradicate child marriage and empower every daughter in our nation. We must ensure that every girl is educated, safe, and free to pursue her dreams. As we work towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, let us unite to empower every girl and prevent child marriage.

The launch coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global movement running from 25^th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10^th December (Human Rights Day). Building on the success of flagship initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the campaign seeks to inspire collective action against child marriage.

The Minister of State, Smt. Savitri Thakur, recognized the important role of initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana in raising awareness. She added that the achievement of this vision requires the collective effort of the government, officials, social organizations, and citizens alike.

The campaign aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, focusing on the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in all spheres of life. A coordinated effort between the government and society is crucial to eliminating child marriage and unlocking the potential of every girl.

Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, emphasized the importance of women’s participation in the workforce for empowerment and societal progress. In his address, he said that the child marriage is a violation of human rights and an obstacle to the empowerment of women. The Child Marriage Act, introduced in 1926 and strengthened in 2006, must be effectively implemented to eliminate this harmful practice.

The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign calls on all citizens to actively oppose child marriage. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Women and Child Development and various other Ministries. CMPOs from districts across India attended the event to show their commitment to this cause.

The event also featured an online interaction with individuals who have championed the fight against child marriage. These champions shared their experiences, inspiring others to join the movement

Bucha Ramanamma (Andhra Pradesh): At just 14, Bucha halted her own child marriage by courageously reaching out to an Anganwadi worker. With support from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), she returned to school, excelled academically, and is now an engineer earning ₹6 lakhs annually.

Majji Ramya (Andhra Pradesh): Despite financial struggles and family pressure, Ramya successfully avoided child marriage with the intervention of the DCPU. Now pursuing her education, she inspires others with her resilience.

Durga (Bihar): A 14-year-old from Purvi Thatha village, Durga leveraged her legal awareness from an adolescent empowerment group to prevent her sister’s marriage. Her actions reflect the power of informed advocacy.

Roshni Perween (Bihar): A survivor of child marriage and domestic violence, Roshni co-founded the Janta Express Welfare Foundation, rescuing 60 girls from child marriage and saving lives. Honored as a United Nations Young Activist Laureate, she exemplifies resilience and dedication.

Namrata Pandurang (Maharashtra): Namrata halted her child marriage and now runs her own business, exemplifying self-reliance and determination.

C. Lalnunfela (Mizoram): As a District Programme Officer, C. Lalnunfela collaborates with faith-based organizations to prevent child marriages, showcasing the power of community-led interventions.

Silu Pradhan (Odisha): Silu actively prevents child marriages in her community while pursuing a diploma in Chemical Engineering. Her efforts inspire hope and change.
Kumari Jyotsna Akhter (Tripura): Jyotsna stopped her own child marriage and has since inspired her entire village to pledge against early marriages. Her leadership earned her the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar’ in January 2024.

Experience sharing -Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat Champions (LINK)

The campaign will continue through various channels to engage citizens and communities, ensuring the goal of a #BalVivahMuktBharat becomes a collective reality.

The event was attended by nearly 150 District Collectors, officials from district administrations, NGOs, panchayats, schools, and local bodies across India. It was live streamed on the Ministry’s YouTube channel, reaching more than 82,000 viewers. Over 50,00,000 individuals participated online in the pledge-taking ceremony against child marriage through Webcast.

To take the pledge and support the movement, please visit: https://stopchildmarriage.wcd.gov.in