Ukhrul: The campaign to end child, early and forced marriage has gained international momentum following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on September 4 designating November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
Against this backdrop, FXB India Suraksha (FXBIS), a partner of Just Rights for Children (JRC), launched the Just Rights for Children–Access to Justice Programme in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts of Manipur on Saturday.
The programme was launched by Outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Alfred Kanngam S Arthur at Hotel Megan Hills in Ukhrul in the presence of around 80 youth leaders. It focused on engaging young people as child protection champions and sensitising them to issues including child marriage, child trafficking, child abuse and child safety.
Addressing the gathering, Arthur highlighted the need to address child marriage as a global concern and welcomed its recognition at the United Nations level.
He appreciated FXBIS for its sustained efforts to address issues affecting children and young people and stressed the importance of collective action involving communities, civil society and government institutions.
Arthur said the international recognition of the issue provided an opportunity to strengthen local action and build greater commitment towards protecting children from child marriage, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Announcing the UN development at the programme, FXBIS Programme Officer A Wungreiso Shangh said the designation of an international day marked a growing global resolve to accelerate efforts to end child marriage by 2030.
He stressed the need for sustained grassroots engagement through awareness generation, stronger child protection mechanisms, community participation and improved access to justice.
The campaign for a dedicated international day against child marriage was spearheaded by Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of JRC.
In March 2026, Ribhu reiterated the call for a dedicated UN resolution during an address at the United Nations, in the presence of international leaders including Sierra Leone First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio, who supported the initiative.
Sierra Leone, backed by 67 countries, including India, subsequently led the effort at the UN General Assembly for the designation of November 27 as an international day dedicated to ending child marriage.
The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on September 4, according to FXBIS.
JRC, through its Child Marriage Free World campaign, works with partners to mobilise communities and institutions against child marriage. In India, its network of more than 270 partner organisations works with governments and administrations across 782 districts, involving schools, panchayats, tribal and marginalised communities, women, law enforcement agencies, faith leaders, youth and political representatives.
The campaign aligns with the Government of India’s goal of achieving a Child Marriage Free India by 2030 and the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign. It also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5, particularly Target 5.3, which calls for the elimination of harmful practices including child, early and forced marriage.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
FXBIS has been implementing the JRC programme since 2025 in three districts of Meghalaya and one district of Uttar Pradesh. According to the organisation, its interventions have helped prevent 1,560 child marriages and reached more than 30,000 people.
In 2026, the programme was expanded to Ukhrul and Kamjong districts of Manipur, with a focus on strengthening community-based child protection systems, awareness and prevention, access to justice, youth and community engagement, and coordination between government and non-government stakeholders.
Also Read | Manipur: Thadou body seeks justice for Christian leaders killed in May 13 ambush