Press Release
oi-Oneindia Staff
Gujarat Social Justice and Empowerment and Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja and state Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manisha Vakil flagged off the ‘Bal Vivah Mukti Rath’, an initiative of Just Rights for Children, in Gandhinagar which will raise awareness about child marriage across the state. Those in attendance pledged to make the state child marriage-free by 2030. This launch supports the central government’s 100-day awareness campaign that aims to educate the masses about this socially accepted crime.
State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Dharmishthaben Gajjar was also present on the occasion, along with Just Rights for Children (JRC) national convenor Ravikant and national secretary Manish Sharma. JRC, which is India’s largest civil society network working to protect children’s rights, has over 300 NGO partners working in 782 districts across India. In Gujarat, the organisation has six NGO partners working across all 34 districts.
Gujarat ministers Dr Pradyuman Vaja and Dr Manisha Vakil flagged off the ‘Bal Vivah Mukti Rath’ in Gandhinagar, an initiative by Just Rights for Children to combat child marriage, aiming for a child marriage-free Gujarat by 2030 and supporting a national 100-day campaign.
The rath was flagged off by Gujarat ministers Dr Pradyuman Vaja and Dr Manisha Vakil at the Townhall premises in Gandhinagar where the Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Child Rights organised the ‘Bal Suraksha Seva Sankalp’ programme, bringing together government officials, activists, NGOs and other stakeholders to discuss key issues concerning child rights and child safety. The Bal Vivah Mukti Rath is a mobile initiative which will cover the length and breadth of the state, sensitising communities about the laws against child marriage. The rath features posters carrying powerful slogans against the practice, besides having loudspeakers that broadcast messages educating the masses.
The chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights administered a pledge to the 1,500 attendees on the occasion vowing to work against child trafficking, child marriage, exploitation and child labour. They promised to provide a safe environment for every child and ensure they receive education, healthcare, respect and equal opportunities. They also vowed to give the highest priority to the best interests of children and work towards a bright future for them.
Addressing the gathering, Just Rights for Children national convenor Ravi Kant said, “From this sacred land of Gujarat, the birthplace of PM Narendra Modi, we have gathered today to make a historic pledge. Our resolve is to end child marriage – to ensure that every child has the right to enjoy their childhood, receive an education, and fulfil their dreams, Gujarat has set several examples for the country and now, it is time for the state to lead the nation’s fight against child marriage. Our resolve is that the first major milestone should be the creation of a child marriage-free Gujarat. Gujarat should become the first state in India to be free of child marriage and once again set an inspiring example for the entire country and the world.”
The history of Gujarat bears witness to the fact that a resolve taken on its soil does not remain mere words; it always translates into action and achievement. This is the land of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi who demonstrated that nothing is impossible in the face of unwavering determination, he said.
In 2024, the Indian government had launched the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign on November 27, and in September this year the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. To build momentum around the occasion, which was a result of India’s effort on the international stage, the central government initiated the 100-day campaign across the country under which anganwadi and ASHA workers, educational institutions, gram panchayats, police and other stakeholders will raise awareness about the issue. Just Rights for Children is extending support to the government’s campaign and will actively take part in it.
