Campaign follows national initiative Child Marriage-Free India

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Gujarat collaborated with Just Rights for Children to launch a 100-day campaign against child marriage in three districts of Gujarat, India — Anand, Vadodara, and Chhotaudepur. The campaign was officially initiated on October 13, 2025, by Don Bosco Kawant and Don Bosco Kapadvanj, Salesian organizations that have been working tirelessly to protect the rights and dignity of youth.

This campaign follows the national initiative Child Marriage-Free India, which was launched by the Honorable Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi in Nov. 2024. The movement has already made a remarkable impact across several states of India, including the districts of Chhotaudepur, Anand, and Vadodara in Gujarat, through the collective efforts of government officials, civil society organizations and community leaders.

Under this initiative, Don Bosco Kawant and Don Bosco Kapadvanj have played a significant role in spreading awareness and preventing child marriages at the grassroots level. Nationwide, the campaign has helped prevent child marriages, saving countless young girls and boys from losing their childhood and opportunities for education and growth.

In Gujarat, more than 300 parents from the three districts have signed written pledges promising not to marry off their underage children. These written guarantees are powerful testimonies of change and commitment towards building a safer future for every child.

As the campaign completes its first year, Don Bosco Gujarat is preparing for a 100-day intensive awareness drive from November 1, 2025, to January 26, 2026. The goal is to create mass awareness, strengthen community participation and build strong collaboration among all stakeholders to eliminate child marriage completely.

During these 100 days, the campaign will reach out to key community influencers who play an important role in the marriage process. The goal is to spread awareness and to help these community influences create and declare child marriage-free districts through coordinated community action.

Father Mayank Parmar, director of Don Bosco Kawant, emphasized, “This campaign is the need of the hour. The government, civil society, and people of goodwill must come together to protect children and completely eradicate the evil of child marriage.”

Shailesh Parmar, program officer for Don Bosco Kapadvanj, added, “Being part of a nationwide campaign like this will not only create change in India but also inspire action across the globe.”

Through these efforts, Don Bosco Gujarat continues its mission of educating, empowering, and protecting young lives. The 100-day campaign is a strong reminder that every child deserves the right to grow, learn, and dream free from the burden of early marriage.

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Sources:

ANS – India – Don Bosco Gujarat Launches 100-Day Campaign Against Child Marriage

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India