Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat Abhiyan:

Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat Abhiyan:

Why in News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat Abhiyan (Child Marriage Free India Campaign) as part of a national effort to eliminate child marriage in India. This campaign is aligned with India’s broader vision of achieving gender equality and becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.

Key Highlights of the Campaign:

1. Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal:

   • The online platform allows citizens to report incidents of child marriage, file complaints, and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs).

   • This portal aims to facilitate the enforcement of child marriage laws and raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage.

2. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence:

   • The launch of the campaign coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global movement running from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day).

3. Role of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs):

   • CMPOs will play a central role in preventing child marriages by:

     • Collecting evidence for prosecution

     • Counseling families against child marriages

     • Raising awareness about the legal and social consequences of child marriage

     • Sensitizing communities to the issue

4. Pledge Against Child Marriage:

   • The campaign encourages citizens to take a pledge against child marriage, reflecting its significance in empowering every daughter in India and fostering a fair and just society.

5. Target States:

   • The campaign will particularly focus on states with higher-than-average child marriage rates, such as:

     • West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh.

6. Acknowledging Achievements:

   • The campaign launch highlighted positive developments such as:

     • Improvement in the sex ratio at birth: From 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24.

     • Efforts toward women's empowerment through various initiatives.

     • The Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006 is being actively enforced through this campaign.

7. Empowerment of Girls:

   • The campaign ties into India's broader gender equality goals, aligning with initiatives like:

     • National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on girls' education.

     • Government programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which aim to empower girls and raise awareness about their rights.

Legislative Framework on Child Marriage in India:

1. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006:

   • This act prohibits the marriage of girls under 18 years and boys under 21 years.

   • The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) provides the legal framework to prevent child marriages and includes penalties for offenders.

2. Role of CMPOs:

   • Section 16 of the PCMA empowers State Governments to appoint Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs), who are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the law.

3. Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021:

   • The bill aimed to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years to bring it in line with the legal age for men.

   • This bill, however, lapsed with the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha.

4. POCSO Act:

   • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act:

     • Men who marry girls below the age of 14 years are prosecuted under the POCSO Act, a stricter law related to sexual offenses against children.

     • For marriages involving girls between the age of 14 and 18 years, perpetrators are charged under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA).

Significance of the Campaign:

1. Eradicating Child Marriage:

   • The campaign is a part of the government's larger commitment to gender equality, promoting girls' education, and empowering women.

   • By preventing child marriages, the campaign aims to create a society where girls and women can lead healthy, fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.

2. Awareness and Enforcement:

   • The Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal will make it easier for individuals to report incidents of child marriage, while also providing support through CMPOs and legal avenues.

3. Holistic Approach:

   • The campaign complements other government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which work toward girls' empowerment and gender equity.

Conclusion:

The Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat Abhiyan represents a critical step in India’s efforts to combat child marriage, a practice that undermines the future of young girls and women. Through legislation, community participation, and active enforcement, the government aims to achieve a child marriage-free India by raising awareness, promoting girls' education, and fostering gender equality at all levels of society.