Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat

Key Highlights:

• The prevalence of child marriage among women aged 20-24 years declined from 23.3% (NFHS-5, 2019-21) to 20.1% (NFHS-6, 2023-24).
• The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB) campaign was launched on November 27, 2024, to strengthen efforts against child marriage.
• BVMB has conducted 6.85 lakh awareness programs, reached 12.47 crore participants, and registered 42.01 lakh pledges.
• India aims to be child-marriage-free by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 5.3.
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) is the primary legal framework, replacing the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.

Detailed Insights:

• Child marriage poses significant risks to girls' health, education, and increases vulnerability to violence and poverty.
• The PCMA defines a child as a male under 21 and a female under 18, making such marriages voidable or void under specific conditions.
• Penalties under PCMA include rigorous imprisonment up to two years and/or a fine up to ₹1 lakh for offenders.
• The Supreme Court, in its October 18, 2024 judgment, emphasized dedicated Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) and technology-enabled reporting.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), launched in 2015, complements legal efforts by addressing social attitudes and promoting girls' empowerment.
• The BVMB campaign prioritizes 257 high-burden districts and utilizes a dedicated portal (stopchildmarriage.wcd.gov.in) for reporting and monitoring.
• A 100-Day Special Awareness Campaign (Dec 2025 - Mar 2026) targeted educational institutions, religious leaders, and local communities.
• Over 71,000 CMPOs are reflected on the BVMB Portal, with nearly 60,000 designated at the Gram Panchayat level.
• States like Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Assam showed significant reductions in child marriage prevalence.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (BVMB): A national campaign launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to eliminate child marriage in India.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA): The Indian law that prohibits child marriages and provides for penalties and relief for victims.
• Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs): Officials appointed by State Governments under the PCMA to prevent child marriages and enforce the law.
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 5.3: A global target under SDG 5 (Gender Equality) aimed at eliminating all harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriage.