About
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, unveiled the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” (Child Marriage Free India) campaign today in New Delhi. Joined by Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur and other dignitaries, the campaign marks a significant stride in empowering young girls and combating child marriage across the nation.
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Jump to this topic by clicking this timeframe 15:28 Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
Key Features of the Campaign
Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal:
A new online platform was launched, enabling citizens to: Report child marriages, File complaints. Access contact details of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) nationwide. This portal facilitates the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, empowering communities to take action.
Commitment to Women’s Empowerment:
Smt. Annapurna Devi highlighted advancements in gender equity, noting an improvement in the sex ratio at birth from 918 (2014-15) to 930 (2023-24). The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to educating, protecting, and empowering every girl, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and flagship initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Global Recognition:
- The campaign builds on India’s contribution to the global decline in child marriage rates, as acknowledged by the United Nations.
Aligned with Global Movements
The campaign coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day). This reinforces India’s global commitment to eliminating violence against women and ensuring gender equality.
Inspiring Stories from Champions Against Child Marriage
The event featured personal accounts from individuals who successfully fought against child marriage, including:
Bucha Ramanamma (Andhra Pradesh): Stopped her child marriage at 14 and pursued engineering, now earning 6 lakh annually.
Roshni Perween (Bihar):A survivor who co-founded a welfare foundation, rescuing 60 girls from child marriage.
Jyotsna Akhter (Tripura) Inspired her entire village to pledge against child marriage and won the Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar 2024.
National Outreach and Participation
1. Massive Engagement: Over 50 lakh individuals joined the pledge against child marriage online. The event, live-streamed on the Ministry’s YouTube channel, garnered over 82,000 viewers.
2. Widespread Involvement: Attended by nearly 150 District Collectors, NGOs, panchayat leaders, schools, and community groups nationwide.
A Unified Vision for 2047
The campaign aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, emphasizing the equal participation of women and girls in all spheres of life. Shri Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry, reiterated the necessity of eliminating child marriage to achieve true empowerment and societal progress.
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative calls for a collective effort from citizens, government bodies, and organizations, ensuring a future where every girl is educated, safe, and free to pursue her dreams.
