In a remarkable step toward social transformation, 75 village panchayats in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, have officially been declared “Child Marriage-Free Panchayats”. The declaration, made on 17 September 2025, coincided with the launch of the “Healthy Women, Empowered Families” campaign and the beginning of National Nutrition Month, marking a milestone in the state’s mission for inclusive development and social justice.
This achievement, backed by consistent administrative efforts and community involvement, positions Surajpur as a national role model in combating child marriage and promoting gender equality.
Collective Community Action: The Driving Force
The success was made possible through sustained efforts by the Women and Child Development Department, which led awareness drives across villages, mobilized Anganwadi workers, local panchayat representatives, and civil society organizations, ensuring that awareness and education reached the grassroots.
By conducting regular awareness programs, holding dialogues on child rights, and acting swiftly on reported cases, the department helped shift public attitudes. Families increasingly began prioritizing education, health, and self-reliance for girls, leading to a two-year streak with zero child marriage cases in these panchayats.
Health and Nutrition Linked to Early Marriages
The district’s achievement aligns closely with the goals of National Nutrition Month, as experts point out the deep connection between child marriage, health, and nutrition. Early marriage and pregnancy significantly increase the risks of malnutrition, anemia, and maternal and infant mortality.
By delaying marriage and enabling longer schooling for girls, Surajpur’s efforts have strengthened both maternal-child health indicators and nutrition outcomes. This proves that preventing child marriage is a multi-sectoral victory—impacting education, health, women’s empowerment, and child rights simultaneously.
Statewide Movement Gathers Momentum
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, the Child Marriage-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign was launched on 10 March 2024, with technical support from UNICEF. Surajpur’s success has now created momentum across the state, with other districts initiating similar declarations based on two-year review periods.
The campaign is anchored in monitoring, community participation, and public awareness, making it both effective and sustainable. Districts meeting the criteria will soon be awarded official certificates recognizing their progress.
Towards a Child Marriage-Free Chhattisgarh
The state government is committed to making Chhattisgarh entirely child marriage-free in the coming years. To achieve this, it plans to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, invest further in girls’ education, and foster community-led change at every level.
Social experts believe that Surajpur’s model proves real change is possible when society and administration work in harmony. This initiative not only challenges age-old norms but also reinforces India’s constitutional values of equality, education, and health for all.
