New Delhi, 10 March (H.S.): Expressing grave concern over worldwide child marriages, Indian child rights activist and lawyer Bhuvan Ribhu urged the United Nations on Tuesday to declare an International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage.

Speaking virtually at an event during the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Ribhu—founder of Just Rights for Children—highlighted India's sharp decline but stressed a child marriage occurs globally every three seconds.

India's Model and Global Plea

Ribhu advocated a UN-designated day to galvanize worldwide commitment and accountability, uniting governments and societies against this crime. He credited India's whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach—focusing prevention, protection, prosecution, and community/religious leader involvement—for slashing rates from 23% to below 15% in under three years, en route to a 2030 eradication goal.

Child marriage, he equated, is tantamount to child rape and sexual exploitation, often masked as culture or tradition.Experts noted robust laws exist in many nations, undermined by poor enforcement.

Stellar Endorsements

Sierra Leone's First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, Nepal's Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha, and others backed the proposal, emphasizing prioritized law enforcement and accountability.

Ribhu, honored with the World Jurist Association's Medal of Honor at World Law Congress 2025, co-hosted with Bio's office. Attendees included UNFPA Assistant Secretary-General Pio Smith, France's Human Rights Ambassador Isabel Rom, Germany's Deputy Permanent Representative Thomas Jahnsen, African Union’s Dr. Angela Martins, UN Women Regional Ambassador Awa Dukureh, and JRC's General Counsel Rachna Tyagi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar