International
oi-Oneindia Staff
India’s voice in the global fight against child marriage has received international recognition. The United Nations has declared November 27 as the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage’. The date holds special significance for India because the Government of India launched the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ campaign on November 27, 2024.
The UN declared November 27 the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, significant to India for the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ campaign launched on Nov 27, 2024, by Bhuvan Ribhu (JRC).
Bhuvan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC), had initiated the effort to establish a separate international day dedicated to ending child marriage.
In March 2026, while addressing the United Nations in the presence of several global leaders, Ribhu once again spoke about bringing forward a proposal for an international day against child marriage.
At the time, Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio, was also present and supported the initiative. Following this, Sierra Leone introduced a proposal before the United Nations General Assembly, endorsed by 67 countries, including India.
The proposal called for November 27 to be declared a global day dedicated to ending child marriage.
On September 4, the United Nations adopted the proposal. While presenting it at the UN, Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio also made a special mention of Just Rights for Children in the UN Hall.
Bhuvan Ribhu Welcomes UN Declaration
Bhuvan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children, was present with the UN delegation when the proposal was adopted. He was the only representative from civil society organisations present on the occasion.
Welcoming the declaration, Ribhu said, “Today, India is emerging as a global leader in child protection. The ‘Child Marriage Free India’ campaign was first started by children and communities, and later the government supported it and took it forward on a larger scale.
“On November 27, 2024, more than 250 million people collectively took a pledge against child marriage under this campaign. Today, that campaign has taken the form of an international day recognised by the world. This is a moment of pride for every Indian.
“I would like to congratulate and thank the children, community leaders, religious leaders and, especially, all our partner organisations whose hard work and commitment made this day possible. I would also like to specially thank the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Modi, and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi for their decisive leadership and commitment. The world is looking towards us, and our work has only just begun.”
‘End Child Marriage by 2030’
Ribhu said the UN declaration marks an important turning point in the fight against child marriage.
He said, “Today marks a decisive turning point, showing that the end of a crime like child marriage is now certain and within reach. The time has come for governments around the world to provide decisive leadership to eliminate child marriage by 2030 and ensure every child has access to education, safety and development so that they can realise their full potential.”
He also thanked Sierra Leone’s First Lady for her leadership in advancing the issue and expressed gratitude to the 67 countries that supported the proposal.
India Sees Decline in Child Marriage Rate
The impact of efforts against child marriage can also be seen in recently released national data.
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), 23.3% of women in India were married before reaching the age of 18. The figure fell to 20.1% in the National Family Health Survey-6 (2023-24).
The Government of India has set a target of reducing the child marriage rate to 10% by 2026.
With continued efforts at both the central and state levels, there is hope that India’s child marriage rate could fall below 15% by the end of 2026.
The global commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030 is also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, particularly Target 5.3, which calls for ending harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage.
India Takes the Campaign Beyond Its Borders
India has now begun taking its campaign against child marriage beyond the country’s borders.
Through the efforts of Just Rights for Children, the ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ campaign was launched in December 2024 along the lines of the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ initiative.
The movement subsequently expanded to more than 99 countries, with more than 250 million people taking pledges in their respective countries to work towards ending child marriage.
Between December 2025 and March 2026, JRC also conducted a special 100-day campaign for a ‘Child Marriage Free World’.
The campaign aimed to work with governments in 100 countries and reach 100,000 schools. Experiences and recommendations from the campaign were taken to international platforms, including the United Nations, with the aim of encouraging stronger and more coordinated global action against child marriage.
What Is Just Rights for Children?
Just Rights for Children is described as the world’s largest network of civil society organisations working in the field of child protection.
Through its ‘Child Marriage Free World’ campaign, the network is working to eliminate child marriage through law, accountability and collective action.
The organisation brings together stakeholders responsible for protecting children and works to create coordinated action at different levels.
In India, JRC and its partner organisations are working across 782 districts with governments and law-enforcement agencies. The network is engaging communities, schools, panchayats, women, religious leaders, police, political representatives and vulnerable groups in the campaign.
The network has attempted to bring people together across political, social and religious divisions.
From village-level awareness programmes and public pledges to direct interventions to prevent child marriages, the network operates at multiple levels.
According to JRC, its partner organisations have prevented more than 550,000 child marriages in India.
