Key Facts and Data Points
- Launch Year: 2024 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Target: Reduce child marriage prevalence by 10% by 2026 and achieve zero child marriages by 2030.
- Legal Basis: Article 21 of the Constitution (right to life & dignity), Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, and the Supreme Court judgment in Society for Enlightenment & Voluntary Action v. Union of India (2024).
- SDG Alignment: Directly linked to UN SDG 5.3 – eliminate child, early and forced marriage.
- Prevalence (NFHS‑5, 2019‑21): 23.3% of women aged 20‑24 married before 18 (down from 47.4% in 2005‑06). Highest rates in West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura; lowest in Lakshadweep, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh.
- Technology Component: BVMB portal for real‑time reporting; dedicated Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) at district/sub‑district levels.
- Model Successes: Balod district (Chhattisgarh) – first child‑marriage‑free district; 75 panchayats in Surajpur declared child‑marriage‑free.
Background and Context
- Child marriage is defined as a union where either party is below 18 years (girls) or 21 years (boys) as per PCMA.
- Historically, social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar campaigned against early marriage; contemporary efforts now blend legal, socio‑economic and behavioural interventions.
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 treats sexual relations with a wife below 18 as rape, reinforcing criminal consequences.
Significance for India / Governance / Policy
- Human Rights: Upholds constitutional right to life, liberty and dignity (Art 21).
- Gender Equality: Directly impacts women’s health, education, labour‑force participation and empowerment.
- Developmental Outcomes: Delayed marriage correlates with higher school retention, reduced fertility, better maternal‑child health and poverty alleviation.
- Inter‑Sectoral Coordination: Involves ministries (Women & Child Development, Education, Rural Development), Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs, and international partners like UNICEF.
Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions
- Article 21, Constitution of India – right to life and personal liberty includes the right to live with dignity.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 – defines child marriage, makes it cognizable, provides for annulment and penalties.
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 – criminalises sexual intercourse with a child bride as aggravated rape.
- Supreme Court Judgment (2024) – bans child betrothals, mandates stronger institutional mechanisms.
Challenges and Way Forward (CHAIN → BREAK)
| Challenges (CHAIN) | Suggested Measures (BREAK) |
|---|---|
| Cultural norms & traditions | Strengthen community‑led awareness, involve religious leaders |
| Household poverty | Link BVMB with livelihood schemes (DAY‑NRLM, NSAP) |
| Access gaps in quality secondary education | Expand Samagra Shiksha, provide scholarships (Kanyashree, Shaadi Mubarak) |
| Weak enforcement | Deploy full‑time CMPOs, real‑time monitoring via BVMB portal |
| Gender inequality | Promote gender‑sensitive curricula, safety schemes (Mission Shakti) |
Institutional Mechanisms
- Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) – district‑level officers responsible for prevention, reporting and enforcement.
- BVMB Portal – online platform for complaints, data analytics and monitoring.
- Childline 1098 & Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) – rescue and rehabilitation.
International Perspective
- UNICEF (2023) estimates ~64 crore girls worldwide married in childhood; India accounts for ~1/3 of global child brides.
- SDG 5.3 Target – requires a 20‑fold acceleration of current progress to meet 2030 deadline.
Conclusion
BVMB represents a paradigm shift from punitive legalism to preventive, community‑centric, technology‑driven action. Its success hinges on addressing deep‑rooted socio‑economic determinants, strengthening enforcement, and fostering societal change.
Drishti Mains Question: Despite legal prohibition, child marriage persists in India. Examine the socio‑economic and institutional factors responsible and suggest a way forward.