India Co-Sponsors UN Resolution Against Child Marriage

India has co-sponsored a United Nations resolution that declares November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus on Friday, with around 70 nations, including India, backing the initiative.

The date of November 27 holds significance for India as it coincides with the launch of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, or Child Marriage Free India, campaign in 2024. The campaign aims to reduce the prevalence of child marriage by 10% by 2026 and make India child marriage-free by 2030.

The resolution was led by Sierra Leone and was championed by the country's First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, and Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC). Ribhu initiated the international call for a dedicated day against child marriage and reiterated his call for a UN resolution during an address at the United Nations in March 2026.

The resolution encourages UN Member States to develop and implement national strategies and action plans to eliminate child, early and forced marriage. It calls on countries to invest in quality education for all girls and to empower women and girls as a key preventive measure. The resolution recognizes child, early and forced marriage as a harmful practice that violates human rights and disproportionately affects women and girls.

Ribhu said that governments must now take decisive action through comprehensive laws, adequately funded national action plans, and accountable institutions. He also called for the participation of children, faith and community leaders, government agencies, police, and law enforcement authorities in efforts to dismantle the ecosystem that perpetuates child marriage.

The adoption of the resolution is seen as a significant milestone in the global campaign against child marriage. JRC described it as a major step forward in recognizing the practice as a crime and a form of child sexual abuse. The global child rights network works to end child exploitation and ensure that children can have a safe and secure childhood.

The resolution's adoption is a major step forward in the global effort to eliminate child marriage. It is a call to action for governments, civil society, and individuals to work together to prevent this harmful practice. India's co-sponsorship of the resolution demonstrates its commitment to eliminating child marriage and promoting the rights of children and women.

In the coming years, India and other countries will need to take concrete steps to implement the resolution and eliminate child marriage. This will require a coordinated effort from governments, civil society, and individuals to raise awareness, provide education and support, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The elimination of child marriage is a critical step towards promoting the rights and well-being of children and women. It is a major challenge that requires a collective effort from governments, civil society, and individuals. With the adoption of the UN resolution, there is hope that the world can come together to eliminate this harmful practice and promote a safer and more secure childhood for all.

The significance of the resolution's adoption cannot be overstated. It is a major milestone in the global campaign against child marriage and a recognition of the practice as a crime and a form of child sexual abuse. It is a call to action for governments, civil society, and individuals to work together to prevent this harmful practice and promote the rights of children and women.

In conclusion, the adoption of the UN resolution is a major step forward in the global effort to eliminate child marriage. It is a call to action for governments, civil society, and individuals to work together to prevent this harmful practice and promote the rights of children and women. India's co-sponsorship of the resolution demonstrates its commitment to eliminating child marriage and promoting the rights of children and women.