How can we stop child marriage in india and secure a brighter future?

09/07/25

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A Brighter Future for Every Child

Child marriage was once a common practice in India, but over the years, significant progress has been made to eliminate it. Thanks to strong laws, government initiatives, and the tireless efforts of NGOs, more girls now have the opportunity to pursue education, build careers, and lead independent lives.

While challenges still exist, the country has taken multiple steps to ensure that every girl can grow up in a safe and supportive environment. This article highlights the major solutions, policies, and initiatives that are helping stop child marriage and secure a brighter future for young girls in India.

A Look Back: How and Who Stopped Child Marriage in India

Though child marriage was once deeply rooted in tradition, India has made continuous efforts to abolish it. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar led the movement against child marriage, and the government introduced various laws over the years to set the legal marriage age.

Key Legal Reforms:

Sarda Act (1929): The first attempt to set a minimum marriage age (14 for girls, 18 for boys).
Hindu Marriage Act (1955) and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006): Strengthened legal penalties against child marriage.
Current Law: The girl marriage age in India is 18, and for boys, it is 21. The government is considering raising the age of girls to 21 as well.

However, simply having laws is not enough. The real success lies in how communities, the government, and NGOs work together to educate, protect, and empower girls.

Government Initiatives: Strengthening Protection and Empowerment

The Government of India has implemented several policies and programmes to prevent child marriage and empower young girls. These initiatives focus on legal protection, education, financial support, and community awareness to ensure a brighter future for them.

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006): This act ensures that child marriage is illegal and punishable by law. It allows anyone to report a child marriage, and such marriages can be annulled. Local authorities are given the power to stop child marriages before they take place.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in 2015, this programme focuses on improving the status of girls by promoting their education and financial independence. It helps change the mindset of society, encouraging families to see girls as assets rather than burdens.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This savings scheme helps parents secure their daughters’ futures by investing in their education. With attractive interest rates and tax benefits, it ensures that financial constraints do not force families into early marriages for girls.
Kanyashree Prakalpa (West Bengal) and Ladli Scheme (Delhi): These state-led initiatives provide financial incentives for families to keep their daughters in school and delay marriage. Such programmes ensure that young girls can complete their education and pursue careers.
Digital and Grassroots Awareness Campaigns: Governments are using digital platforms, village outreach programmes, and school education initiatives to spread awareness about how to stop child marriage. Information is being made accessible through television, radio, and mobile applications.

Solutions to Stop Child Marriage in India

While laws and policies form the backbone of child protection, education, financial independence, and community support play a crucial role in ensuring that early marriages no longer occur. Here are some of the most effective solution of early marriage:

1. Strengthening Education for Girls

Why It Works: Educated girls marry later, are economically independent, and contribute to society.

Steps Taken:

Free and compulsory education under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Mid-day meal programmes that encourage school attendance.
Scholarships and skill training for girls to pursue higher education

Impact: Girls who complete secondary education are six times less likely to marry early.

2. Economic Empowerment & Skill Development

Why It Works: Financially independent girls and women can support themselves and their families financially and avoid forced marriages.

Steps Taken:

Vocational training programmes in sewing, IT, and entrepreneurship.
Government initiatives like Skill India and Digital India to help women build careers.
Financial literacy programmes to help women manage their money and start small businesses.

Impact: When girls earn, families see long-term benefits in their education rather than marrying them off early.

3. Healthcare & Nutrition Support

Why It Works: When young girls have access to good nutrition and healthcare, they grow up healthy and confident, reducing their vulnerability to child marriage

Steps Taken:

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) provides nutrition, healthcare, and preschool education.
Free menstrual hygiene products and awareness campaigns for adolescent health.
Mobile health clinics in rural areas to improve access to doctors and medical support.

Impact: Girls with better health outcomes are more likely to complete their education and delay marriage.

Community-Led Change & Awareness Programmes

Why It Works: In many cases, families are unaware of the legal age for marriage or the harm early marriage causes.

Steps Taken:

Village councils and self-help groups educate families about the benefits of delaying marriage.
Religious leaders and influencers promote messages on women’s rights and education.
Child helplines like 1098 help report and stop child marriages.

Impact: More families now understand that keeping their daughters in school leads to a better future for the entire household.

Bal Raksha Bharat: Securing a Better Future for Girls

At Bal Raksha Bharat, a child protection NGO, (also known as Save the Children India), we are committed to ensuring that every child, especially young girls, has the right to a safe and empowered future. Child marriage denies children their childhood, education, and opportunities, and we work tirelessly to put an end to this harmful practice.

We actively work alongside the Government of India to strengthen child protection mechanisms. Under the National Plan of Action for Children 2016, initiated by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, we implemented the ‘Marriage: No Child’s Play’ programme (2016-2020) in Rajasthan.

Our impact:

Partnered with the Government of Rajasthan to develop and implement the State Strategy and Action Plan on Child Marriage.
Supported over 5,864 adolescent girls in 45 villages across the Tonk and Jodhpur districts.
Helped declare multiple villages child marriage-free, leading to the expansion of the programme in the Banswara and Dungarpur districts.

These efforts align with child protective services in India, ensuring that vulnerable children—especially girls—are safeguarded from early marriage and given the chance to build a better life.

Donate online and be a part of a movement that empowers girls, protects their rights, and secures a brighter future for them.

Gaurav Sharma

Content Reviewer

“I am an editor and technical specialist at Bal Raksha Bharat, responsible for publishing articles and posts. My role involves evaluating content for consistency, and ensuring a positive user experience across the website."