Wed Nov 27 17:38:34 UTC 2024: ## National Campaign Launched to Eradicate Child Marriage in India
**Chennai, November 27, 2024** – A nationwide campaign, “Child Marriage FREE Bharat,” was launched in Chennai today to combat the pervasive issue of child marriage in India. The initiative, a collaboration between the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO) and Just Rights for Children, aims to significantly reduce child marriages by 2030.
The launch event, attended by over 250 people, included an awareness program, candlelight vigil, and a pledge to prevent child marriage. Speakers highlighted the disparity between reported child marriages and the number of resulting FIRs, indicating shortcomings in the enforcement of relevant laws.
Natharsha Malim. H, State coordinator for the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA), emphasized the need for improved implementation of existing legislation. A.J. Hariharan, secretary of ICWO, condemned child marriage as a social evil and a violation of children’s rights, impacting their education, health, and overall development.
The campaign advocates for increased government support in promoting children’s education, particularly for girls, proposing an extension of free education up to the age of 18. Organizers set ambitious targets: reducing child marriage prevalence from 23.3% to 10% by 2025 and ultimately eliminating the practice nationwide by 2030.
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