The Tripura government successfully stopped more than 723 child marriages in the state within nine months last year, a significant accomplishment in the ongoing fight against this social issue. The Social Welfare and Social Education Minister, Tinku Roy, highlighted this achievement during a state-level awareness program on “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat and Gender-Based Violence.” Roy emphasized the importance of eradicating child marriage and gender-based violence to ensure a secure and promising future for every child.
Government initiatives include the operation of nine ‘Sakhi One Stop Centres’ in eight districts to enhance women’s safety, with plans for another center in West Tripura district. Roy stressed the necessity of active involvement from all sectors of society to combat these social challenges effectively. Financial assistance schemes, such as the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, provide support to eligible beneficiaries to discourage early marriages by alleviating economic pressures.
The government’s commitment is to reduce child marriage cases to zero and promote equal opportunities for both genders. Roy underlined that the state’s progress hinges on safeguarding the rights, education, and well-being of girls. The Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Tripura Commission for Women emphasized the importance of legal measures and societal participation in preventing child marriages and ensuring child protection.
