From Parliament to Constituencies, MPs Join Forces to End Child Marriage by 2030

In a rare and powerful collective push, over 20 Members of Parliament from different political parties came together in the national capital under the banner of ‘MPs for Children’ to chart a roadmap for making India free from child marriage by 2030. Highlighting child marriage and the risks emerging from social media as two major threats to children, the MPs emphasised the need to utilise Zero Hour, introduce Private Members’ Bills, and leverage their constituencies to bring these issues to the forefront.

‘MPs for Children Forum’, supported by Just Rights for Children, came into being on 17 November 2024, when as many as 38 MPs extended their support, raising concerns over child marriage and child sexual abuse. Just Rights for Children is the country’s largest network of NGOs, with over 250 partners working across more than 450 districts.

Speaking at the ‘Dialogue with Parliamentarians on Achieving Child Full Potential’, Telugu Desam Party leader and convenor of MPs for Children, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, said, “Child marriage is not about any one party or religion. There is broad consensus across political lines that it must end. India has shown that when we act with collective resolve, we can achieve results, we eradicated polio and ensured children are in school. With the same commitment, there is no reason why we cannot eliminate child marriage by 2030.”

Devarayalu, who is the Parliamentary Party Leader of the Telugu Desam Party, also called for age-specific restrictions on children’s use of social media. Notably, he recently introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006. The Bill proposes stricter penalties, exclusive Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CPMOs), special courts, and a digital reporting portal to accelerate the goal of a child marriage-free India.

Thanking all the Parliamentarians for their support, Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, said, “We thank the MPs for Children Forum for their leadership and for underscoring the urgent need to take up critical child protection issues within Parliament and with relevant government agencies. Child protection is not only a social responsibility, but a national priority. Ensuring that children are protected from harm, both online and offline, is fundamental to building the nation.”

He further added, “We are grateful to the MPs for agreeing that the Government of India should designate a ‘National Day for Child Marriage Free India’. Instituting a National Day would not only recognise the urgency of ending this crime but also reinforce a whole-of-government and whole-of-society accountability approach to ensure that no child is pushed into marriage. Bhuwan Ribhu has also recently called on the United Nations to declare a dedicated ‘World Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage’.

Recognising the growing influence of digital spaces in shaping childhood, the group also called for progressive, age-appropriate restrictions on social media to protect children from the emerging threats of technology-enabled child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Other Members of Parliament who were present during the MPs for Children dialogue included Bhim Singh, BJP; Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, INC; Raja Ram Singh Kushwaha, CPI ML; Lumba Ram Choudhary, BJP; Pushpendra Saroj, SP; Jothimani, INC; Daggumalla Prasada Rao, TDP; Gajendra Patel, BJP; John Brittas, CPM; Thiru Arun Nehru, DMK; Chhotelal Kharwar, SP; Iqra Choudhary, SP; Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP; Mahua Maji, JMM; Sangeeta Balwant, BJP; Vijaylakshmi Devi, Janta Dal (United); V Sivadasan, CPI; P. V. Abdul Wahab, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML); Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, TDP and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, BJP.

To support the Government of India’s 100-day intensive campaign to end child marriage, Just Rights for Children rolled out the Bal Vivah Mukti Rath, a campaign-on-wheels designed to take the message of child marriage prohibition directly to villages and communities. Over 500 mobile publicity vans, or Raths, were flagged off across 28 states and 439 districts. The campaign drew significant strength from parliamentary participation, with over 104 MPs leading or launching Rath rallies in their constituencies. In addition, two Chief Ministers, three Deputy Chief Ministers, three Speakers, three Deputy Speakers, 49 State Ministers, 154 MLAs, and 99 District Collectors participated in flagging off the Raths across districts.