India Battles Child Marriage: NCPCR's Comprehensive Campaign

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights identified over 11 lakh children vulnerable to child marriage in 2023-24. With family counselling, school reintegration, and law enforcement coordination, the NCPCR intervened effectively. However, challenges remain in data collection and eliminating entrenched cultural practices.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) reported identifying over 11 lakh children at risk of child marriage in the 2023-24 period. The commission engaged in preventative measures such as family counselling, reintegration into schools, and coordination with law enforcement.

Efforts under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, involved collaboration with child marriage prohibition officers, district authorities, and stakeholders, reaching more than 1.2 crore people through awareness campaigns. States like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh led the charge against child marriage.

Despite progress, the report highlighted ongoing challenges including data collection gaps and entrenched cultural practices in certain districts. NCPCR Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo urged states to maintain and prioritize these efforts, stressing the importance of cooperative federalism in combating child marriage.

(With inputs from agencies.)