SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Institutions: Ministry of Women & Child Development | Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Surajpur district in Chhattisgarh has declared 75 village panchayats as “Child Marriage-Free Panchayats,” based on the absence of any reported child marriage cases over the past two years. The announcement, made on 17 September 2025, was part of the “Healthy Women, Empowered Families” campaign and aligned with National Nutrition Month activities. The initiative relied on continuous awareness drives by Anganwadi workers, active involvement of panchayat representatives, and support from voluntary organisations. Given that early marriage is linked to maternal health risks, malnutrition, and educational disruption, the achievement is significant in reinforcing cross-sectoral development outcomes.
This case highlights how coordinated local governance and community mobilisation can effectively enforce child marriage laws while advancing broader goals in health, education, and gender equity.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can Surajpur’s achievement be embedded into state-level monitoring systems to ensure that child-marriage-free status is not only declared but sustained over time?
Follow the full news here: Surajpur in Chhattisgarh Becomes a Model for Child Marriage Eradication