Birhor Tribe Joins Movement Against Child Marriage in Jharkhand’s Giridih
GG News Bureau
Ranchi, 13th Dec. For the first time, members of the Birhor tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, have joined the movement against child marriage in Giridih. The initiative was led by the Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRC) and supported by Banvasi Vikas Ashram, under the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development’s ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign.
The Birhor community, known for their forest-dependent, semi-nomadic lifestyle, gathered at dusk for a candlelight march, pledging to end the practice of child marriage. The event, a landmark moment for the socially and economically marginalized tribe, included youth, children, women, and elders taking an oath to protect children’s rights and report cases of child marriage.
Raising Awareness Among the Birhor Tribe
JRC highlighted the significance of the gathering, stating that it was the first time the community had been educated about the consequences and legalities of child marriage. Discussions emphasized its harmful effects on health, education, and overall well-being, with a focus on empowering the community to reject the practice.
Campaign Impact Across Jharkhand
The campaign has seen widespread efforts across Jharkhand’s 24 districts, with events in villages, schools, and blocks. Jamtara, Deoghar, Godda, Giridih, Koderma, and Dumka remain hotspots for child marriage cases.
The civil society organization claims to have prevented over 7,000 child marriages in Jharkhand between April and December 2024, showcasing a strong push toward creating a child marriage-free state.
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