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News Topical, Digital Desk : In a unique and strong initiative, over 20 MPs from various political parties came together under the banner of MPs for Children at the Constitution Club in the national capital to chalk out a strategy to make India free from child marriage by 2030.
Terming child marriage and the dangers associated with social media as major challenges for children, the MPs demanded use of Zero Hour to bring forward these issues, introduce private bills and raise them strongly in their constituencies.
"MPs for Children" was launched on November 17, 2024, and was endorsed by 38 MPs, expressing concern over child marriage and child sexual abuse. It is supported by Just Rights for Children, India's largest network of civil society organizations dedicated to the protection of child rights. Its more than 250 partner organizations work in over 450 districts across the country.
Speaking at the "Dialogue with Parliamentarians on Achieving Child Full Potential," Telugu Desam Party leader and MPs for Children convener Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu said, "Child marriage is not an issue of any one party or religion. There is consensus across all parties on eliminating it."
"India has shown that when we act with collective resolve, we achieve results. We eradicated polio, got children into school. There's no reason why, with the same resolve, we can't end child marriage by 2030."
Telugu Desam Party Parliamentary Party leader Devarayalu stressed the need for age-based restrictions on children's social media use. He recently introduced a private bill in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006. The bill provides for stricter punishment, special child marriage prohibition officers, special courts, and a digital reporting portal to accelerate the goal of a child marriage-free India.
Thanking all the MPs for their support, Bhuvan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, said, “We thank the MPs for Children Forum for their leadership and appreciate them for highlighting the urgent need to raise important child protection issues within Parliament and relevant government agencies.
Child protection is not just a social responsibility, but a national priority. Protecting children from both online and offline threats is fundamental to nation-building." Bhuvan Ribhu added, "We are grateful to the MPs for agreeing that the Government of India should declare 'Child Marriage Free India Day.'
The declaration of a national day will not only underline the urgency of eliminating this crime but will also reinforce the shared responsibility of both the entire government and society to ensure that no child is forced into marriage.”
Other MPs who participated in the 'MPs for Children' dialogue included Bhim Singh (BJP), Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi (Congress), Raja Ram Singh Kushwaha (CPI-ML), Lumba Ram Chaudhary (BJP), Pushpendra Saroj (SP), Jothimani (Congress), Daggumalla Prasad Rao (TDP), Gajendra Patel (BJP), John Brittas (CPM), Arun Nehru (DMK), Chhotelal Kharwar (SP), Iqra Chaudhary (SP), Jugal Kishore Sharma (BJP), Mahua Maji (JMM), Sangita Balwant (BJP), Vijayalakshmi Devi (Janata Dal (United), V. Sivadasan (CPI), P. V. Abdul Wahab (Indian Union Muslim League), Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav (TDP) and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (BJP).
Just Rights for Children launched the Child Marriage Mukti Rath to reinforce the Government of India's 100-day intensive awareness campaign against child marriage. This wheeled campaign was designed to bring the message against child marriage directly to villages and communities.
More than 500 chariots were taken out in 28 states and 439 districts across the country. More than 104 Members of Parliament led or flagged off Rath Yatras in their constituencies. In addition, two Chief Ministers, three Deputy Chief Ministers, three Speakers of Legislative Assemblies, three Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies, 49 State Ministers, 154 MLAs, and 99 District Collectors also flagged off Child Marriage Liberation Raths in various districts.
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