In a significant step toward eradicating child marriages and empowering young girls nationwide, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, today launched the national campaign "Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat" in New Delhi. The event also saw the participation of State Women and Child Development Ministers, Smt. Savitri Thakur, and other prominent officials and stakeholders.

As part of the campaign, the minister launched the Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat Portal, an innovative online platform that allows citizens to report incidents of child marriages, file complaints, and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) across the country. The portal plays a crucial role in empowering citizens and enforcing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

In her keynote speech, the Union Minister highlighted significant progress in women’s empowerment, noting that the sex ratio had improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24. She emphasized that under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, marriages involving girls under the age of 18 and boys under 21 are strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violations. She also praised the achievements of the previous year, where over 1 lakh child marriages were prevented, and acknowledged India’s contribution to reducing the global child marriage rate, as recognized by the United Nations.

The campaign aims to empower girls by ensuring access to education, health, and protection. Smt. Annapurna Devi reiterated that the government continues to implement programs that promote girls' education and social empowerment, in line with the National Education Policy, 2020, which prioritizes gender equality.

She emphasized that the launch of this campaign is not just a program; it is a commitment to eradicating child marriages and empowering every girl in the country. "We must ensure that every girl is educated, safe, and free to pursue her dreams," she said. "As we work towards a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, we stand united in empowering every girl and ending child marriages."