[5:12 pm, 19/09/2025] +91 92012 80600: Against the backdrop of the “Healthy Women, Empowered Families” campaign and National Nutrition Month, Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh has achieved a historic milestone in the direction of social reform and public awareness. A total of 75 village panchayats in the district have been officially declared “Child Marriage-Free Panchayats.” This announcement was made by the Surajpur district administration on 17 September 2025 during the launch of the campaign and the beginning of Nutrition Month. The recognition was granted on the basis that not a single case of child marriage was recorded in these panchayats over the past two years. This accomplishment is not only a proud moment for Chhattisgarh but also a source of inspiration for the entire nation, proving that social evils can be curbed through collective efforts.

Awareness and Community Participation
The Women and Child Development Department’s consistent initiatives and strong leadership are considered decisive factors behind this success. The department carried out awareness drives in every village, mobilized Anganwadi workers, panchayat representatives, and voluntary organizations, and ensured the participation of all sections of society. As part of the campaign, regular awareness programs were conducted, dialogues on child rights and the importance of education were held, and immediate action was taken to prevent any reported cases of child marriage. As a result, a new mindset began to take root in society. The tendency to prioritize education, health, and awareness grew stronger, and parents chose to give their daughters opportunities for education and self-reliance instead of marrying them off at a young age.

Direct Link with Health and Nutrition
Surajpur’s achievement is also being seen as a major success in the direction of the state’s “Healthy Women, Empowered Families” campaign and National Nutrition Month. Experts point out that early marriage and pregnancy not only disrupt a girl’s education but also have severe implications for maternal and child health. They increase the risks of malnutrition, anemia, and maternal and infant mortality. By preventing child marriage, the panchayats of Surajpur have not only ensured educational opportunities for adolescent girls but also strengthened maternal-child health and nutrition outcomes. Longer schooling for girls leads to improved health, delayed age of marriage and childbirth, and safer and more empowered families.
Process Begins in Other Districts
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the “Child Marriage-Free Chhattisgarh Campaign” was formally launched on 10 March 2024. Conducted with UNICEF’s support, this campaign is among the top priorities of the state government. Continuous strengthening of awareness, monitoring, and social participation is making the campaign more effective and sustainable. The success of Surajpur has generated enthusiasm and renewed confidence across the state. Now, the process of declaring panchayats and urban bodies as “Child Marriage-Free” has begun in other districts of Chhattisgarh as well. Districts where no child marriage cases have been recorded in the past two years will soon be awarded certificates.
Social experts believe that Surajpur’s model could prove to be a turning point in combating a deeply rooted practice like child marriage. Awareness at the panchayat level, community participation, and administrative commitment have shown that when society decides, change is indeed possible. This initiative has not only curbed child marriage but also strengthened education, child rights, women’s health, and gender equality.
The state government’s goal is to establish Chhattisgarh as a “Child Marriage-Free State” in the coming years. For this, monitoring mechanisms will be further strengthened, education will be promoted, and active community participation will remain the foundation of the campaign. Surajpur’s achievement makes it clear that laws and administrative measures can only be truly effective when society actively becomes a part of change. Through collective efforts, not only can social attitudes be transformed, but concrete steps can also be taken toward lasting change. This initiative elevates Chhattisgarh’s identity to new heights and sends a powerful message across the country—that child marriage, a harmful social practice, can indeed be eradicated, provided there is determination and collective action.
 

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RDJ/KRV/PJ

(Release ID: 2168554)