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New Delhi, December 4 (PMI NNEWS): The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Inpurna Devi, launched a 100-day awareness campaign marking one year of the “Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat” (Child Marriage-Free India) initiative. The campaign aims to eliminate child marriage and ensure every child grows up in a safe and respectful environment.
Definition of Child Marriage:
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Marriage of a girl below 18 years of age.
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Marriage of a boy below 21 years of age.
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Marriage of a girl under 18 with a man over 21 also qualifies as child marriage.
Three-Phase Campaign Strategy:
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Spell 1 (Nov 27 – Dec 31): Awareness activities in schools, colleges, and universities, including debates, essay competitions, interactive sessions, and pledge ceremonies.
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Spell 2 (Jan 1 – Jan 31): Engagement with religious leaders, community influencers, and marriage service providers to promote children’s rights and protection.
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Spell 3 (Feb 1 – Mar 8): Mobilizing Gram Panchayats and municipal wards to pass resolutions declaring their jurisdictions child marriage-free.
- Government Collaboration:
The c
ampaign is conducted in close coordination with the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Education, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj to ensure broad community participation.
Legal Framework:
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, child marriage is a punishable offense. State governments appoint Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) to prevent and act against such marriages.
Impact & Public Support:
Children’s rights activist Bhoon Rebhu highlighted that last year over 100,000 child marriages were prevented, demonstrating the power of collective social action. The campaign aims to make 100,000 villages child marriage-free in the coming year.
Minister’s Message:
Inpurna Devi emphasized that the initiative is not merely a program but a national commitment to safeguard the future of India’s children. States are urged to work toward reducing child marriage rates to below 5% by 2029.(pressmediaofindia.com)
