UN Declares November 27 International Day Against Child Marriage; Assam Welcomes Move
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution designating November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The resolution, passed on September 4, is intended to strengthen global awareness and action against a practice that affects millions of children worldwide, particularly girls.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision, calling it recognition of the issue that his government has been tackling through sustained enforcement and social measures. In a post on X, Sarma said that child and forced marriage "has no place in our society" and highlighted that more than 12,000 cases have been registered and over 11,000 people arrested in Assam in this connection.
Assam has conducted periodic statewide drives against child marriage since 2023. According to figures cited by the Assam government, 12,196 cases were registered and more than 11,000 arrests made over the past five years. Sarma has also announced a fresh 30-day statewide enforcement campaign.
A study covering 1,132 villages across 20 districts in Assam reported an 81 per cent decline in reported child marriages, with cases falling from 3,225 in 2021-22 to 627 in 2023-24. The study's findings have been cited by the state government as evidence that legal action, combined with welfare measures, is yielding results.
In addition to legal action under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the state has invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act where circumstances require. Assam has also sought to address social and economic factors through initiatives aimed at keeping girls in school. One such scheme is the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina, which provides financial support to girl students pursuing higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate education. The government describes it as a measure to discourage early marriage and encourage continued studies.
The state has set 2026 as its target for eliminating child marriage. Officials point to increases in girls' higher education enrolment and reductions in teenage pregnancies as indicators of progress.
The UN's decision adds an international dimension to these efforts, placing Assam's campaign within a broader global push to protect children from early and forced marriage. International days such as this are intended to promote awareness and stimulate action on issues of global concern, with the November 27 observance now giving renewed attention to the issue.
