MPs join forces to end child marriage by 2030

Over 20 Members of Parliament from different political parties came together in New Delhi under the banner of ‘MPs for Children’ to chart a roadmap for making India free from child marriage by 2030. Highlighting child marriage and the risks emerging from social media as two major threats to children, the MPs emphasised the need to utilise Zero Hour, introduce Private Members’ Bills, and leverage their constituencies to bring these issues to the forefront. Speaking at the ‘Dialogue with Parliamentarians on Achieving Child Full Potential’, Telugu Desam Party leader and convenor of MPs for Children, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, said, “Child marriage is not about any one party or religion. There is broad consensus across political lines that it must end. India has shown that when we act with collective resolve, we can achieve results, we eradicated polio and ensured children are in school. With the same commitment, there is no reason why we cannot eliminate child marriage by 2030.”
Other Members of Parliament who were present during the MPs for Children dialogue included Bhim Singh, BJP; Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, INC; Raja Ram Singh Kushwaha, CPI ML; Lumba Ram Choudhary, BJP; Pushpendra Saroj, SP; Jothimani, INC; Daggumalla Prasada Rao, TDP; Gajendra Patel, BJP; John Brittas, CPM; Thiru Arun Nehru, DMK; Chhotelal Kharwar, SP; Iqra Choudhary, SP; Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP; Mahua Maji, JMM; Sangeeta Balwant, BJP; Vijaylakshmi Devi, Janta Dal (United); V Sivadasan, CPI; P. V. Abdul Wahab, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML); Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, TDP and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, BJP. Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, said, Child protection is not only a social responsibility, but a national priority. Ensuring that children are protected from harm, both online and offline, is fundamental to building the nation.”