UN General Assembly (UNGA) has designated 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The resolution was adopted by consensus by all 193 UNGA members and was led by Sierra Leone, with India among the co-sponsors.
Background
- 27 November is significant for India as it marks the launch of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage Free India) campaign in 2024.
- The demand for a dedicated international day was first raised at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March 2026.
- Before adoption, the resolution had 66 co-sponsoring countries; the final Sierra Leone-led resolution was co-sponsored by 50 countries, including India.
- The observance is linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.3, which seeks to eliminate harmful practices, including child, early and forced marriage, by 2030.
- The UN has called for stronger laws and enforcement, greater investment in girls’ education and protection, and increased community participation and accountability.
India’s Status
India has made progress in reducing child marriage, but it remains a significant challenge. According to NFHS-6 (2023–24), 20.1% of women aged 20–24 were married before reaching 18 years, compared with 23.3% in NFHS-5 (2019–21).