Transforming Rajasthan: Child Marriages Drop by 66%

Udaipur. Rajasthan has witnessed a remarkable decline in child marriages over the past three years, with a 66% decrease among girls and a 67% decrease among boys. This finding comes from the report “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India” released by Just Rights for Children (JRC). The report identifies poverty (91%) and cultural or traditional beliefs (45%) as the main drivers of child marriage.

In Udaipur, Gayatri Seva Sansthan, a partner organization of JRC working to protect child rights, has successfully prevented over 400 child marriages in the district through close coordination with the district administration, panchayats, and community members. The organization also conducts periodic awareness programs and operates a helpline on Akshaya Tritiya, offering incentive rewards for reporting child marriages, ensuring timely and accurate information to save children from early marriage.

The report was prepared by the Centre for Legal Action and Behavioural Change for Children (C-LAB), under the initiative of JRC’s partner organization India Child Protection. Over 250 civil society organizations across the country, including 17 in Rajasthan, work in 38 districts to safeguard child rights. Data for the survey was collected from 150 villages through frontline workers such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers, school teachers, nurses, midwives, and panchayat members.

Encouraged by the results, Dr. Shailendra Pandya, Director of Gayatri Seva Sansthan and former member of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, stated, “This is a significant achievement for Rajasthan. The model we have implemented to prevent child marriages has shown unprecedented results. Maintaining this momentum requires continued collaboration between district authorities, law enforcement agencies, and rural communities.”

The organization, in collaboration with JRC, also successfully implemented the district’s first formal ban on child marriages, ensuring that no parent even considers marrying off their child prematurely.

The report highlighted that 99% of respondents identified awareness campaigns as the most effective tool to prevent child marriages, while 82% emphasized FIRs and arrests as the second most important measure. Almost all respondents were aware of the Government of India’s “Child Marriage Free India” campaign and had taken a pledge against child marriage. Seventy-five percent acknowledged civil society organizations as key pillars of this national initiative.

Ravi Kant, National Coordinator of JRC, praised the Rajasthan government, judiciary, and civil society for their coordinated efforts. He noted that stringent enforcement, mandatory registration of marriages, and vigilance during sensitive occasions like Akshaya Tritiya send a clear message: Rajasthan is on track to become a child marriage-free state before 2030.

Key recommendations of the report include strict enforcement of laws, improved reporting mechanisms, mandatory marriage registration, and widespread awareness of the Child Marriage Free India portal. The report also suggested declaring a National Anti-Child Marriage Day to unite and sensitize citizens across the country.