GUWAHATI: The United Nations General Assembly has decided to proclaim November 27 every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, aimed at raising global awareness and strengthening efforts to end the practice.
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According to a UN communication, dedicated international observances can serve as a catalyst for global awareness and the sharing of good practices. The new international day will focus specifically on eliminating child, early and forced marriage worldwide.
Reacting to the development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, September 5, said the UN declaration aligns with what Assam has been advocating and working towards in recent years.
Taking to X, Sarma highlighted the state government’s actions against child marriage, claiming that more than 12,000 cases have been registered and over 11,000 arrests made as part of the crackdown.
He further claimed that Assam has recorded an 81% decline in child marriages across 20 districts, along with a reduction in teenage pregnancies and an increase in female enrolment in higher education.
“Assam's efforts over the past few years have shown us remarkable results,” Sarma wrote.
The Chief Minister said the UN declaration demonstrates that Assam’s campaign was “never in isolation”, but part of a larger effort to address a global problem.
The UN decision is expected to strengthen international attention on preventing child, early and forced marriages and promoting the rights and education of girls.