Kolkata: The global fight against child marriage received a major boost after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The date has a special connection with India as it marks the launch of the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign by the Government of India in 2024.
The international initiative was championed by Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC), who called for a dedicated global day to strengthen efforts against child marriage. In March 2026, Ribhu reiterated the demand at the United Nations in the presence of international leaders, including Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio.
Sierra Leone subsequently led the resolution at the UN General Assembly with the support of 67 countries, including India. The resolution was adopted on September 4, with Dr Fatima Maada Bio specifically acknowledging the contribution of JRC during the presentation at the UN.
33,262 Child Marriages Prevented in West Bengal
West Bengal has emerged as an important part of the campaign against child marriage. JRC, through its 14 partner organisations working across 23 districts of West Bengal, has helped prevent 33,262 child marriages over the past three years.
At the national level, JRC and its partners have worked with governments, law-enforcement agencies, schools, panchayats, community leaders, women’s groups and other stakeholders across 782 districts, contributing to the prevention of more than 5.5 lakh child marriages in India.
Welcoming the UN resolution, Bhuwan Ribhu said the recognition marked a proud moment for India and credited children, communities, civil society organisations and the Government of India for driving the campaign.
He said the global recognition should now translate into stronger government action to eliminate child marriage by 2030 and ensure education, protection and development opportunities for every child.
Child Marriage Rate Declines in West Bengal
Government data also indicates a decline in the prevalence of child marriage in West Bengal.
According to the figures cited from NFHS-5 (2019-21), 41.6% of women aged 20-24 in West Bengal were married before the age of 18. The figure declined to 36.4% in NFHS-6 (2023-24). The corresponding national figure is 20.1%.
The Government of India has set a target of reducing the prevalence of child marriage by 10% by 2026, as part of its broader campaign to make India child-marriage-free.
The campaign also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, Target 5.3, which calls for eliminating harmful practices, including child, early and forced marriage, by 2030.
Campaign Expands Beyond India
India’s campaign has also inspired international initiatives. The ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ campaign was launched in December 2024 through JRC’s efforts, while the wider movement has expanded to more than 99 countries.
According to JRC, more than 250 million people have taken pledges to support efforts to end child marriage in their communities and countries.
The organisation also conducted a 100-day ‘Child Marriage Free World’ campaign between December 2025 and March 2026, engaging governments across 100 countries and aiming to reach one lakh schools.
With November 27 now recognised internationally, campaigners believe the UN declaration could provide fresh momentum to strengthen prevention, enforcement and community participation in the fight against child marriage.
