CHANDIGARH, 19.04.26-The Union Territory Child Protection Society (UTCPS), Chandigarh, under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, carried out extensive awareness and sensitization activities across the city as part of the 100-Day Intensive Thematic Campaign on “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat”, an initiative of the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, under the guidance of Mrs. Anuradha Chagti, Secretary, Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration.

The campaign, themed “Child Marriage Free Chandigarh,” aimed to sensitize the public about the harmful social, educational, health and legal consequences of child marriage, the legal age of marriage (18 years for girls and 21 years for boys) and the provisions under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, which entail imprisonment up to two years and a fine up to ₹1 lakh. Citizens were also encouraged to report cases through Child Helpline 1098 (Day & Night) and Police Helpline 112.

During the campaign, a total of 131 awareness and sensitization activities were conducted across Chandigarh with the participation of 47,962 persons from the community and various departments. These activities included Nukkad Nataks (street plays), awareness programmes in schools, colleges, universities, Anganwadi Centres and Child Care Institutions; pledge-taking ceremonies, poster and slogan competitions, lectures, storytelling sessions and documentary screenings; and community outreach through meetings and awareness programmes at temples, mosques, madrassas, markets, hospitals and transport hubs. IEC materials such as pamphlets, banners and mass appeal posters were widely distributed and displayed at public places and religious institutions for community sensitization. Awareness was further strengthened through radio jingles and digital messages on official platforms, while undertakings were obtained from religious institutions, marriage halls, band parties, caterers, DJs, tailors, photographers, decorators and tent house owners, affirming their commitment not to support or facilitate child marriage.

The campaign was implemented in collaboration with Chandigarh Child & Women Development Corporation Ltd. (CCWDC), Anganwadi Services, Department of Education, District Child Protection Units (DCPU), Child Helpline-1098, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), BAAL SARTHY Clubs, Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and various Departments/Boards/Units of Chandigarh Administration.

Building upon the momentum of the campaign and in view of Akshaya Tritiya, UTCPS, Chandigarh has further intensified its preventive efforts through a UT-wide pledge against child marriage across all Departments/Units/Boards/Corporations, along with coordinated rescue, vigilance, and community awareness drives in temples, Anganwadi Centres, and peripheral areas. Simultaneously, focused sensitisation initiatives are being undertaken in Government Schools and Child Care Institutions, in collaboration with DCPU, Child Helpline 1098, Police, Anganwadi Workers, CCWDC, and the Department of Education, to promote awareness on child rights and prevent child marriage.

With the successful completion of the 100-Day Campaign, these sustained and collaborative efforts have significantly strengthened community awareness and reinforced the collective commitment towards the vision of a Child Marriage-Free Chandigarh. During the campaign period, 02 child marriages were successfully prevented, reflecting effective community vigilance, timely intervention, and strengthened response mechanisms.