Statewide Awareness Campaign Intensifies to Make Chhattisgarh Child Marriage-Free

Public Participation Through Schools, Colleges, Online Pledges, and Digital Certificates

Raipur, January 2026: In line with the goal of making Chhattisgarh a child marriage-free state, the Department of Women and Child Development is conducting extensive statewide awareness programs under the “Child Marriage-Free India” and “Child Marriage-Free Chhattisgarh” campaigns. Under Mission Vatsalya, District Child Protection Units are organising continuous awareness activities in schools, colleges, village panchayats, and urban local bodies across the state.

The campaign aims to educate students and the general public about the harmful consequences of child marriage, relevant legal provisions, and the role of society in preventing such practices. During these programs, participants are encouraged to take an online pledge to remain “Child Marriage-Free” through links and QR codes, and are issued digital certificates for their participation. Large numbers of students and rural residents from various districts have enthusiastically joined the initiative.

Awareness sessions highlight that, under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the minimum legal age for marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. Offenders who arrange marriages below the legal age face rigorous imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. Since January 17, 2025, village panchayat secretaries have been appointed as Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, and registration of all marriages at the panchayat level has been made mandatory.

Programs also emphasize that conducting child marriages is a criminal offence, classified as an act of cruelty, as reaffirmed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Citizens are urged to report any instances of child marriage immediately to the Panchayat Secretary, the concerned department, or through child helpline numbers 1098 and 181.

The state government aims to declare all village panchayats and urban local bodies as child marriage-free zones. Continuous awareness campaigns are showing positive results, fostering collective commitment in society and strengthening efforts against child marriage.