MPs Forge Bipartisan Alliance to End Child Marriage in India by 2030
In a remarkable display of cross-party cooperation, more than 20 Members of Parliament from diverse political backgrounds convened in New Delhi under the 'MPs for Children' forum. Their unified goal is to develop a strategic roadmap aimed at eradicating child marriage across India by the year 2030. This initiative, bolstered by the support of Just Rights for Children, a coalition of over 250 NGOs operating in more than 450 districts, highlights child marriage and growing online threats as critical issues endangering the nation's youth.
Parliamentary Action and Grassroots Campaigns
The participating MPs have committed to raising awareness and driving legislative measures to combat child marriage. They plan to utilize parliamentary tools such as the Zero Hour to spotlight the issue and introduce Private Members' Bills to enact stronger protections. Additionally, they aim to mobilize efforts at the constituency level to ensure local implementation and accountability.
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, the convenor of the forum, emphasized the broad political consensus on ending child marriage. He stated that collective action, akin to past successes in public health and education initiatives, is essential to meet the 2030 target. Devarayalu also advocated for progressive, age-appropriate restrictions on social media platforms to shield children from online risks, underscoring the need for comprehensive child protection strategies.
National Advocacy and Awareness Drives
Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children, called for enhanced parliamentary engagement on child protection issues. He proposed the declaration of a 'National Day for Child Marriage Free India' to foster wider societal accountability and sustain momentum toward the elimination goal. The forum, which was launched in November 2024 with backing from multiple MPs, focuses primarily on addressing child marriage and child sexual abuse.
As part of its ongoing endeavors, the group has initiated the 'Bal Vivah Mukti Rath' campaign. This extensive awareness drive involves deploying over 500 vehicles across 28 states and 439 districts to educate communities about the harms of child marriage. The campaign has garnered participation from MPs, state leaders, and district officials, strengthening grassroots action and promoting a culture of prevention.
The collaborative efforts underscore a national commitment to safeguarding children's rights and ensuring a future free from early marriages. By leveraging political will and community outreach, India moves closer to achieving its 2030 deadline for a child marriage-free society.
