"UNGA Adopts Resolution Declaring November 27 International Day Against Child Marriage"
Child Marriage
Marriage where one or both parties are below the legal minimum age; prohibited in India at below 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
UNGA Resolution
A formal decision adopted by the UN General Assembly; non-binding but carries normative and political weight.
Child marriage is a globally recognised harmful practice that disproportionately affects girls. It violates multiple human rights, including the right to education, health, and freedom from violence. Internationally, the issue is addressed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the principal deliberative body of the UN, where all 193 member states have equal representation and resolutions are adopted either by vote or by consensus.
In India, child marriage is prohibited under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. Despite this legal framework, India continues to have one of the highest absolute numbers of child brides in the world. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) recorded that approximately 23% of women aged 20–24 years were married before the age of 18. Child marriage is closely linked to school dropout rates, early pregnancy, maternal mortality, and intergenerational poverty, making it a cross-cutting development challenge.
India has also been engaged in domestic campaigns to address the issue. The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage Free India) campaign was launched to reduce child marriage prevalence by 10% by 2026 and to eliminate it entirely by 2030, aligning with the SDG 5.3 target.
The UNGA resolution adopted by consensus on September 4, 2026, proclaims November 27 every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The resolution was led by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by approximately 70 nations, including India. Adoption by consensus signals broad international agreement without a formal vote, lending the resolution greater political weight.
The resolution calls on member states to develop and implement holistic, multisectoral national strategies to end child, early, and forced marriage. It specifically urges investment in quality education for all girls, including programmes that allow married girls to continue or return to schooling. It also promotes women's empowerment as a central prevention strategy. …
With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements:
1.This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2.Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?
With reference to child marriage in India, consider the following statements:
1.The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.
2.SDG 5.3 specifically targets the elimination of child, early and forced marriage by 2030.
3.The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign was launched on November 27, 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the UNGA resolution on child marriage adopted in September 2026, consider the following statements:
1.The resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the 193-member UN General Assembly.
2.The resolution designates November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
3.The resolution was led by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by approximately 70 nations including India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following pairs:
International Day — Date designated by UNGA
1.International Day of the Girl Child — October 11
2.International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage — November 27
3.International Women's Day — March 8
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Which of the following best describes the legal status of a UN General Assembly resolution?
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