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UN recognition for JRC-led campaign hailed
In Short
November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage
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Vasavya Mahila Mandali president Dr Bollineni Keerthi addressing the media in Vijayawada on Sunday
Vijayawada: Vasavya Mahila Mandali president Dr Bollineni Keerthi on Sunday welcomed the United Nations’ historic decision to designate November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, Early and Forced Marriage, describing it as a proud moment for India and a global recognition of efforts led by Just Rights for Children (JRC).
Addressing the media here she said that it is a moment of immense pride that our efforts have received global recognition. The voice that emerged from India has today become a global resolve said. She recalled that the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign was launched by the Government of India in partnership with JRC partners on November 27, 2024.
However, she stressed that the UN declaration should not be seen merely as a reason for celebration. “The real challenge now is to translate this global commitment into action on the ground. Until even one child in a village in our district remains under the threat of child marriage, our fight remains incomplete,” she said. Vasavya Mahila Mandali has so far prevented 2,175 child marriages through legal interventions.
Keerthi recalled that JRC founder Bhuwan Ribhu initiated the international call for a dedicated global day against child marriage. In March 2026, he reiterated the demand at the United Nations in the presence of international leaders, including Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio.
Subsequently, Sierra Leone, supported by 67 countries including India, introduced a resolution in the UN General Assembly seeking November 27 as the global day. The UN adopted the resolution on September 4.
P Chandraekhar Rao, AP coordinator of JRC said the JRC’s Child Marriage-Free World campaign has contributed to preventing more than 5.5 lakh child marriages in India, with its partner organisations working with governments and law-enforcement agencies across 782 districts. An Intermediate student Cherukuri Mahalakshmi said that with the help of VMM staff and the local Anganwadi worker she prevented her engagement with a boy and continued her education. She was accompanied by her mother Naga Tirupatamma. Another girl Nutakki Srilakshmi, who is also present, said that she came out of the torturous wedlock and continued her education. According to NFHS data, child marriage among women aged 20-24 declined from 23.3 per cent in 2019-21 to 20.1 per cent in 2023-24.
India has set a target of reducing the prevalence by 10 per cent by 2026, in line with the global goal of eliminating child marriage by 2030 under SDG 5.3.
