Surajpur Declared Child Marriage-Free Under CM Vishnu Deo Sai’s Leadership

Raipur, September 19, 2025: In a landmark achievement for social reform, 75 village panchayats in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, have been declared “Child Marriage-Free”, announced during the launch of the “Healthy Women, Empowered Families” campaign and the start of National Nutrition Month on 17 September 2025. The recognition is based on the fact that no child marriage cases were reported in these panchayats over the past two years, setting an example for the entire nation.

The success is attributed to the Women and Child Development Department’s continuous efforts, strong leadership, and community engagement. Awareness drives were conducted in every village, involving Anganwadi workers, panchayat representatives, and civil society organizations. Regular programs on child rights and the importance of education helped shift societal attitudes, with parents increasingly prioritizing education and self-reliance over early marriage for their daughters.

The initiative also directly supports health and nutrition goals. Experts note that preventing child marriage ensures better maternal and child health, reduces risks of malnutrition and anemia, and allows girls to complete their education, resulting in delayed marriage and childbirth and stronger, healthier families.

The campaign, launched statewide on 10 March 2024 under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai with UNICEF’s support, is now being extended to other districts. Panchayats and urban bodies with no child marriage cases in the last two years are set to receive similar recognition.

Social experts believe Surajpur’s model demonstrates that when communities, local authorities, and government act together, entrenched social practices can be changed. The state government aims to make Chhattisgarh a “Child Marriage-Free State”, reinforcing education, health, and gender equality as pillars of sustainable change.