Jagrukta Rath: Campaign to End Child Marriage in India

Jagrukta Rath: Campaign Caravan

100 Days of Intensive Campaign to End Child Marriage

The Crisis: Child Marriage in India

Child marriage brings an abrupt end to childhood and triggers a cycle of intergenerational poverty. It is a crisis of health, education, and protection. Currently, over 20% of girls in high-prevalence districts are married before turning 18. Every minute, three girls are married off in India based on census calculations.

Health Consequence: Infant Mortality

The impact of child marriage on health is severe. Infant mortality is significantly higher among younger mothers. Data from NFHS reveals that mothers under 20 face a much higher risk of losing their infants compared to those in their twenties.

Prevalence of Early Marriage

According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), a significant portion of young women were married before the legal age of 18. This statistic highlights the urgency of the Campaign Caravan in high-prevalence districts.

Campaign Strategy: Multi-Modal Caravan

A 100-day intensive public awareness campaign starting January 2026.

Cycle Caravan: Operating at the village level to reach interior, hard-to-access areas.

Motorcycle Caravan: Operating at the panchayat level to engage elected representatives.

Jagrukta Rath (Bus Caravan): The flagship vehicle for interstate and district-level mobilization.

Cycle & Motorcycle Caravans

Targeting Bihar and Jharkhand, these modalities ensure no village is left behind. Cycle teams focus on door-to-door engagement and village meetings, while Motorcycle teams secure commitment from local governance structures. This grassroots approach facilitates deep community interactions.

Jagrukta Rath (Bus Caravan)

The 5 Bus Caravans serve as the flagship vehicle of the campaign, symbolizing a unified national stand. Covering 18 high-prevalence states, they enable high-visibility public events, media engagement, and inter-state convergence.

The 5 National Routes

Route 1: Delhi - Haryana - Uttarakhand - Uttar Pradesh

Route 2: Bihar - Jharkhand - West Bengal - Assam

Route 3: Tamil Nadu - Andhra Pradesh - Telangana - Karnataka

Route 4: Rajasthan - Gujarat - Maharashtra

Route 5: Madhya Pradesh - Chhattisgarh - Odisha

Key Campaign Activities

Survivor Leadership: Child marriage survivors lead the caravan, sharing lived experiences.

Public Pledge Wall: Community members sign publicly to commit to ending child marriage.

Strategic Outreach: Visits to religious places to address influencers and clarify legal misconceptions.

Hero Recognition: Celebrating local heroes who have successfully prevented child marriages.

Expected Outcomes

This 100-day drive aims for mass mobilization and a veritable shift in perception. By empowering women and girls with knowledge of their rights and strengthening the link between communities and the government, the campaign builds a sustainable foundation for a Child Marriage Free India by 2030.