GANDHINAGAR (LiCAS News): The Salesians of Don Bosco in Gujarat, India, launched a 100-day awareness campaign to eradicate child marriage, a persistent problem in India despite existing laws prohibiting it.
The initiative, running from November 1 to 26 January 2026, seeks to raise awareness among the population about the problem of child marriage and promote community participation and cooperation among all stakeholders. It aims to completely eradicate child marriage, according to a report by Fides.
Although Indian law sets the minimum marriage age at 18 for girls and 21 for boys, UNICEF data show that India remains “the country with the highest number of young people forced into marriage before reaching adulthood: over 200 million, plus many unreported cases.”
The campaign, organised in partnership with the non-government organisation, Just Rights for Children, was officially launched on October 13 in three districts of Gujarat: Anand, Vadodara, and Chhotaudepur.
More than 300 parents = signed a written pledge “not to marry off their underage children.”
The Salesians said in a statement, “These written pledges are a testament to change and a commitment to a more secure future for every child.”
Preparatory activities had been underway since June, with awareness drives in 150 villages through “graffiti, community meetings, and declarations of commitment from 150 families.”
In addition, “53 people participated in a nationwide workshop titled, ‘Voices of Survivors,’ which showcased stories of resilience and hope.”
The campaign will also engage “religious leaders who officiate weddings, staff at wedding-related institutions, and village leaders,” aiming to foster a community-based approach to ending the practice.
The Gujarat initiative builds on the national movement, Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat [India Free from Child Marriage], launched on 27 November 2024, by minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Through the collaboration of government agencies, civil society, and local leaders, the movement has “already achieved remarkable success in several Indian states,” having “helped prevent over 190,000 child marriages and protect countless girls and boys from losing their childhood and their educational and developmental opportunities.”
