GS Paper - II
Union women and child development minister Annapurna Devi launched the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign” or child marriage free India campaign portal “to help girls achieve their potential” by checking practices such as child marriages.
Purpose
- Help girls achieve their potential by eliminating child marriages.
- Build on the progress of earlier initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
- Its Target to reduce child marriage prevalence to below 5% by 2029.
Progress and Global Recognition
- India is globally acknowledged for reducing child marriages, driving the largest decline in South Asia (UN reports).
Government Data
- 2006: 47.4% child marriage prevalence
- 2019-21: Reduced to 23.3%.
Focus Areas
- High-Burden States - West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Districts: 300 districts with child marriage rates above the national average.
Key Features of the Campaign
- Legislative Focus - Enforce 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage without exceptions and Provide legal protection for children.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Strengthens oversight of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).
- Public Access: Enhances access to information for better communication and support.
- Simplified Reporting: User-friendly mechanisms for victims and witnesses to report child marriages.
- Education: Leverage the National Education Policy to keep girls in school.
- Health: Focus on maternal and child health to combat consequences of child marriage.
- Financial Security: Encourage financial independence through skill-building initiatives.
- Social Awareness: Address cultural norms and gender biases.
Supporting Initiatives
- Nari Adalats (Women’s Courts): Provide legal support and guidance.
- Gender-Inclusive Communication Guide: Address biases in language and communication.
