CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE

The Campaign Against Child Marriage (CACM) is a national, law-centric initiative of Independent
Thought committed to eliminating child, early, and forced marriage in India.

CACM MISSION 2029

A child marriage-free India where every child—especially every girl—enjoys equality, dignity,education, bodily autonomy, and access to justice.

LEGAL
ENFORCEMENT

INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

RESPONSIVE SYSTEM TO PROTECT CHILDREN

CHILD MARRIAGE IN INDIA

CACM views child marriage not merely as a social issue, but as a serious violation of child rights,women’s rights, and constitutional guarantees.

Since its inception in 2013, CACM has led a paradigm shift—from awareness-driven responses to governance-led accountability frameworks. It works closely with government institutions, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to ensure effective implementation of child protection laws.

Driving Policy and Legal Change

CACM’s sustained efforts have contributed to important legal and policy development in India.

These include engagement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

State-level reforms such as the Haryana Amendment.

Strengthened enforcement actions like Assam’s state-wide campaign against child marriage under the PCMA Act, 2006 and the POCSO Act, 2012.

Multi-Level Engagement

CACM is operating across international, national, regional, state, and district levels through consultations, convenings, and web-based platforms. By facilitating dialogue and collaboration at every level, the campaign strengthens accountability and promotes coordinated action to prevent
child marriage.

Assam: A Flagship Model

CACM’s work in Assam demonstrates how systemic change can be achieved through coordinated
governance and institutional strengthening.

Technical support to the Government of Assam

A child marriage-free India where every child—especially every girl—enjoys equality, dignity,
education, bodily autonomy, and access to justice.

Training of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) and frontline workers

Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and monitoring systems

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District-level convergence meetings

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Community awareness and reporting mechanisms

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IMPACT IN A GLANCE

Thousands of stakeholders trained across sectors
Strengthened reporting and response systems
Improved coordination between departments
Increased enforcement of child marriage laws
Enhanced accountability within governance systems

DISTRICT LEVEL ACTION

At the grassroots level, CACM drives change through:

Multi-stakeholder consultations.
Community awareness campaigns
Engagement with adolescents and yout
Legal literacy and reporting mechanisms