Kandhamal : Gram Sabhas held across Kandhamal district on 2 October 2026 passed resolutions declaring eligible villages Child Marriage-Free, marking another step in the district’s ongoing efforts to prevent child marriage and strengthen community vigilance. The resolutions were taken up during the compulsory Gram Sabha process under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
The resolutions covered 7 blocks namely Phulbani, Khajuripada,Phiringia, Raikia, Tikabali, Tumudibandh and G. Udayagiri having 14 Gram Panchayats and approximately 275villages across Kandhamal. The process placed child marriage prevention within the Gram Sabha, allowing the issue to be taken up as a matter of collective community responsibility and Panchayat-level action.
The campaign is being implemented by Humara Bachpan Trust in partnership with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) under the Just Rights for Children (JRC) programme. Since 2023, Humara Bachpan Trust has been working consistently in Kandhamal in 7 blocks and 300 villages to strengthen child protection systems with a goal to make Kandhamal child marriage free by 2031. The organisation worked in coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions and district and block-level functionaries to support the placement, discussion and passage of the Child Marriage-Free Village resolutions.
The resolutions initiate the prescribed Child Marriage-Free Village certification process. The resolutions and Gram Sabha proceedings are to be documented and shared with the concerned Child Marriage Prohibition Officers for verification, while the designated Panchayati Raj functionaries support the subsequent certification requirements.
The initiative adds a formal community-level mechanism to Kandhamal’s continuing work to prevent child marriage. It reinforces the importance of early identification of vulnerable situations, community vigilance, awareness among families and children, and coordination with government systems when a child marriage is at risk.
The 2nd October resolutions build on the district’s earlier mobilisation under the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign, including grassroots awareness and community outreach undertaken through the Bal Vivah Mukti Rath Caravan. The earlier campaign had already taken child marriage prevention messages to Gram Panchayats, villages, schools, Anganwadi Centres and other community spaces across the district.
With the Gram Sabha resolutions, communities and Panchayati Raj Institutions have further strengthened the formal process towards Child Marriage-Free Village certification. Humara Bachpan Trust will continue to work with the district administration, Panchayati Raj Institutions and child protection stakeholders to support the certification process and contribute to the vision of a Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat.
