WCD Ministry Launches 100-Day National Campaign for a Child Marriage Free Bharat

The Ministry of Women and Child Development on Thursday launched a 100-Day Intensive Awareness Campaign for a Child Marriage Free Bharat, marking the first anniversary of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The event, held at Vigyan Bhawan, was inaugurated by Union WCD Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, in the presence of Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur.

Smt. Annpurna Devi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating “a Bharat where every daughter and every son is able to shape their future with dignity, security and equal rights.” Calling child marriage both a legal violation and a moral injustice, she highlighted the Centre’s sustained interventions that have contributed to improving the Sex Ratio at Birth, boosting girls’ enrolment in education, and strengthening the empowerment of women and girls.

The Minister announced that the government has allocated ₹1,827 crore in scholarships for girls to ensure continuity in education. She noted that Indian girls are excelling globally, comprising 43% of the STEM workforce, among the highest shares worldwide. Acknowledging the crucial work of Anganwadi workers, SHGs, ASHAs, ANMs, teachers, counsellors, One Stop Centres and civil society partners, she urged all States and UTs to work towards making child marriage almost non-existent.

Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur emphasised that the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a community-led Jan Andolan, driven by grassroots vigilance. She underscored the vital roles of Panchayats, faith leaders, youth groups and community networks in timely reporting and prevention. She also pointed to government schemes—Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PMMVY, Poshan Abhiyaan and One Stop Centres—that have strengthened safety, nutrition, entitlements and support systems for girls.

WCD Secretary Shri Anil Mallik shared updates on the enhanced Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal, now accessible to over 38,000 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) nationwide. Citizens can track district-wise progress, view actions taken, and take online pledges. He added that more than 26 lakh citizens and frontline workers have already participated in campaign activities, reflecting strong public mobilisation.

The event featured a National Pledge to End Child Marriage and the screening of a short film highlighting grassroots change-makers. The programme was livestreamed on government platforms, with participation from more than 1.32 lakh devices across the country.

About the 100-Day Campaign (27 Nov 2025 – 8 Mar 2026)

The nationwide drive is structured in three phases:

• Spell 1 (27 Nov – 31 Dec 2025):
  Awareness activities in schools, colleges and universities through debates, essays, interactive sessions and pledge events.
• Spell 2 (1 – 31 Jan 2026):
  Engagement with faith leaders, community influencers and marriage service providers to amplify messaging on child rights and safety.
• Spell 3 (1 Feb – 8 Mar 2026):
  Mobilisation of Gram Panchayats and Municipal Wards to pass resolutions declaring their jurisdictions child marriage free.

The campaign is being implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Education, ensuring convergence and deep grassroots reach.

The Ministry urged citizens, institutions, and community leaders nationwide to join the movement and strengthen India’s resolve to build a Child Marriage Free Bharat.