Child marriage in India down 69% for girls and 72% for boys since 2019-21: Report
A fresh report from Just Rights for Children reveals child marriage in India has fallen—down 69% for girls and 72% for boys.
This big shift is thanks to joint action by the government and NGOs, with legal steps like arrests making a real difference.
Awareness about the campaign
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign reached nearly everyone surveyed (99%), boosting awareness about child marriage.
People are also more willing to speak up now—63% said they're very comfortable reporting cases, and another 33% feel somewhat comfortable.
Regional progress and challenges
Assam led the way with an 84% drop in girl child marriages; Maharashtra and Bihar saw around a 70% decrease.
But even with these wins, some regions still face challenges getting rid of child marriage entirely.
Education and economic factors
Only about one-third of villages had all girls aged 6-18 in school—Bihar lagged at just 9%, while Maharashtra did better at 51%.
Poverty (91%), safety concerns (44%), and traditions and norms remain the main reasons families marry off children early.