Ukhrul, September 5: The global movement to end child, early and forced marriage received a major boost after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
The resolution, adopted on September 4, 2026, marks a significant step towards bringing greater international attention, political accountability and coordinated action to address one of the persistent violations of children’s rights. The development has also been welcomed as a major recognition of the growing global movement led by Just Rights for Children (JRC) against child marriage.
Building on the global development, FXB India Suraksha (FXBIS) launched the Just Rights for Children–Access to Justice Programme in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts of Manipur on September 5.
The programme was launched by Member of Parliament Shri Alfred Kanngam S Arthur at Hotel Megan Hills, Ukhrul, in the presence of around 80 youth leaders.
The initiative aims to engage young people as champions of child protection while creating awareness on issues including child marriage, child trafficking, child abuse and child safety.
Addressing the gathering, MP Alfred Kanngam S Arthur described child marriage as a global concern and welcomed the issue receiving recognition at the United Nations platform. He appreciated the sustained efforts of FXB India Suraksha in addressing issues affecting children and young people and stressed the importance of collective action involving communities, civil society and government institutions.
He said the global recognition of the issue provides an important opportunity to strengthen local action and deepen commitment towards protecting children from child marriage, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
During the programme, A Wungreiso Shangh, Programme Officer of FXBIS, said the designation of an International Day reflects a growing global resolve to accelerate efforts to end child marriage by 2030.
He stressed the need for sustained grassroots engagement through awareness generation, stronger child protection mechanisms, community participation and improved access to justice.
The international campaign for a dedicated global day against child marriage was spearheaded by Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of JRC. Sierra Leone, backed by 67 nations including India, led the effort at the United Nations General Assembly, culminating in the adoption of the resolution on September 4.
JRC, one of the world’s largest child protection networks, is working through its Child Marriage Free World campaign to build a global movement against child marriage. In India, its network of more than 270 partner organisations works across 782 districts, mobilising communities, schools, panchayats, tribal and marginalised communities, women, law-enforcement agencies, faith leaders, youth and political representatives.
The movement aligns with the Government of India’s vision of a Child Marriage Free India by 2030 and contributes towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which calls for the elimination of harmful practices, including child, early and forced marriage.
FXBIS has been implementing the JRC Programme since 2025 in districts of Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh, working with government departments, law-enforcement agencies, communities, children, youth, religious and community leaders and other stakeholders. The organisation said its intervention has helped prevent 1,560 child marriages and reached more than 30,000 people.
In 2026, the programme has expanded to Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, with a focus on strengthening community-based child protection systems, awareness and prevention, access to justice, youth engagement and coordination between government and non-government stakeholders.
The programme carries a clear message that global recognition must translate into meaningful local action to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn and live with dignity, free from the threat of child marriage.
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