704 Villagers in Kangpokpi District Join Forces to Support 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' Campaign

In a powerful show of solidarity, 704 villagers from 10 villages in Kangpokpi District came together to hold marches and pledge their commitment to ending child marriage as part of the national 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' campaign. The Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA), an NGO working to combat child marriage in the region, organized the event in response to the Government of India's call for a nationwide effort to eliminate the practice.

The initiative, which saw participation from survivors of child marriage, community leaders, government officials, and local stakeholders, included candlelight marches, pledge-taking ceremonies, and cultural programs aimed at spreading awareness about the dangers of child marriage. Among the participants were faith leaders, caterers, invitation card printers, and other wedding-related vendors, all of whom also took a solemn pledge to oppose child marriage.

IRMA, which has been at the forefront of child marriage prevention in the district, successfully stopped six child marriages in 2023-24 through community engagement, awareness efforts, and direct intervention with local families. The organization is a part of Just Rights for Children (JRC), a national alliance of over 250 NGOs dedicated to strengthening child protection mechanisms across India.

T. Lamjaneng Haokip, Director of IRMA, praised the national campaign, expressing pride in the progress made so far. "The nationwide campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives a renewed energy to our work here in Kangpokpi. What started as a local initiative is now a national movement, and we are committed to rescuing our daughters from child marriage," he said.

Supporting the nationwide initiative, Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of JRC, emphasized the importance of tackling child marriage at its roots. "What began as a targeted effort to address child marriage in high-prevalence states has now grown into a unified movement across India. We thank everyone for joining this cause and amplifying the voices of India's daughters," Ribhu stated.

One of the survivors, Akim (name changed), shared her personal experience and hope for the future, "I am ashamed of my past, but I am determined to study hard. My age is not for marriage," she said, echoing the resolve of many young women determined to escape the cycle of early marriage.

The campaign, which launched on November 27 under the leadership of Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, aims to reach 25 crore people and raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage. A national portal for reporting child marriages was also unveiled as part of the campaign, providing a crucial tool for communities across the country to combat this widespread issue.

This mass mobilization in Kangpokpi District is just one example of the growing momentum behind the 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' movement, a crucial step toward ending child marriage and ensuring a brighter future for all children in India.