Pratapgarh, Sept. 5, 2026: Teachers have a crucial role in preventing child marriage and ensuring children grow up in a safe and supportive environment, child rights expert and former member of the Rajasthan Commission for Protection of Child Rights Dr Shailendra Pandya said on Saturday.

Speaking at a Teachers’ Day programme organised at the Government Senior Secondary School in Jaitheliya gram panchayat of Peepalkhoont, a tribal-dominated area of Pratapgarh district, Dr Pandya said the recent United Nations recognition of November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, Early and Forced Marriage should strengthen collective efforts to end the practice.

The programme was organised by Gayatri Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, to honour teachers who have been working to prevent child marriage in the region.

Dr Pandya said India’s campaign against child marriage has gained international recognition, but the focus must now remain on translating the commitment into action at the grassroots level.

“Until even one child in a village remains at risk of child marriage, the fight is incomplete. Teachers can play a decisive role by identifying vulnerable children, creating awareness among families and encouraging communities to prevent the practice,” he said.

Campaign gains momentum

Gayatri Seva Sansthan district coordinator Ramchandra Meghwal said the organisation is associated with Just Rights for Children (JRC), a national network working with civil society organisations to combat child marriage.

He said JRC founder Bhuvan Ribhu had campaigned for the declaration of a dedicated international day. In March 2026, Ribhu raised the issue at the United Nations, receiving support from Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio. Sierra Leone subsequently introduced a proposal backed by around 50 countries, including India, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 4.

Meghwal said JRC and its partner organisations are working across 782 districts in India in coordination with governments and law-enforcement agencies. The campaign brings together schools, panchayats, tribal communities, women, police personnel, religious leaders and public representatives.

According to him, partner organisations have helped prevent more than 5.5 lakh child marriages across the country.

Child marriage rate declines

Project coordinator Ashita Jain said sustained awareness and community-level interventions have contributed to a decline in child marriage.

Citing National Family Health Survey data, she said the proportion of women aged 20-24 who were married before the age of 18 declined from 23.3% in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 20.1% in NFHS-6 (2023-24).

She said the Government of India has set a target of reducing the child marriage rate to 10% by 2026, while efforts are also aligned with the global goal of eliminating child marriage by 2030 under Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Teachers felicitated

Programme chairperson and school principal Suresh Chandra Saini appreciated the initiative and the efforts being made in tribal areas to prevent child marriage. He also sensitised students about the harmful consequences of the practice.

The programme was conducted by Suresh Kumar, while students participated in an interactive session on child rights by taking on the role of teachers.

Teachers and school personnel honoured for their efforts to prevent child marriage included Suresh Chandra Saini, Suresh Kumar, Prabhu Lal Pandor, Uday Lal Meena, Arjun Lal Pandor, Bapu Lal Meena, Pushkar Lal Meena, Vaibhav Jain, Prem Kumari Meena and Usha Kumari.