As the UN Recognises November 27 as Global Day, West Bengal Intensifies Its Battle Against Child Marriage

News Desk, News Nation 360: In a historic statement of solidarity with grassroots efforts to protect children, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on September 4, designating November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The day coincides with the launch of the Government of India's 2024 ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign. Championed by child protection network Just Rights for Children (JRC) founder Bhuwan Ribhu, the only civil society representative at the UN adoption, the resolution was sponsored by Sierra Leone under the leadership of First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio and co-sponsored by 67 nations, including India. With JRC having stopped over 5.5 lakh child marriages nationwide, and 33,262 marriages prevented across 23 districts in West Bengal in collaboration with 14 partner organizations, leading to a drop in the state's prevalence from 41.6% (NFHS-5) to 36.4% (NFHS-6), Ribhu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Annapurna Devi, and civil society partners, saying that the campaign's reach of 99 countries would make India a global leader in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 target to eliminate child marriage by 2030.

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