In a landmark achievement for grassroots social reform, ten villages in Tripura’s Sepahijala district have been officially recognized as ‘Aspiring Child Marriage Free’ (CMF) villages under the state’s flagship initiative, Mission Sankalp. The recognition comes after these villages reported zero instances of child marriage over the past six months, marking a significant step forward in the fight against early and forced marriages in the region.
📌 Key Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Recognized Villages | 10 (across 3 R.D. Blocks in Sepahijala) |
| Certification Category | Aspiring CMF (Bronze) – No child marriage in 6 months |
| Initiative | Mission Sankalp |
| District | Sepahijala, Tripura |
| District Magistrate | Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal, IAS |
| Certification Authority | District-Level Task Force |
| Goal | Eradicate child marriage and teenage pregnancy |
🧠 What Is Mission Sankalp?
Mission Sankalp is a state-led initiative launched to eliminate child marriage and teenage pregnancy through a multi-tiered strategy involving community engagement, legal enforcement, and awareness campaigns. The program emphasizes recognition and incentivization of villages that demonstrate a sustained commitment to protecting children’s rights.
“Through community engagement, awareness, and strict monitoring, Mission Sankalp envisions a Sepahijala where every village provides a safe and supportive environment for children and adolescents,” said District Magistrate Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal.
🏅 CMF Certification: A Tiered Recognition System
The Child Marriage Free (CMF) Village Certification is awarded based on the duration for which a village has remained free of child marriage cases:
| Certification Tier | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Aspiring CMF (Bronze) | No child marriage reported in the last 6 months |
| Rising CMF (Silver) | No child marriage reported in the last 12 months |
| Model CMF (Gold) | No child marriage reported in the last 24 months |
The ten villages awarded the Aspiring CMF (Bronze) status are now being encouraged to maintain their efforts and aim for Silver and Gold categories in the coming years.
🏘️ Recognized Villages in Sepahijala District
The ten villages that earned the Aspiring CMF certification are spread across three R.D. Blocks:
Jampuijala R.D. Block
- Promod Nagar VC
- Doyarampara VC
- Twima VC
- JK Nagar
- East Ratnapur
- West Ratnapur
Charilam R.D. Block
- Ramnagar VC
- Batharmura VC
Nalchar R.D. Block
- Rampadapara VC
- Padmininagar VC
🔍 Certification Process: How Villages Qualify
The CMF certification process is rigorous and multi-layered, ensuring transparency and accountability:
- Declaration: The village pradhan submits a certified declaration to the Block Development Officer (BDO).
- Verification: The BDO verifies the claim and forwards it to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
- Task Force Review: The SDM presents the proposal to the Sub-Divisional Task Force.
- Final Approval: The proposal is sent to the District Magistrate, who forwards it to the District-Level Task Force for final certification within one month.
🧩 Why Sepahijala’s Achievement Matters
Once ranked among the top districts in India for child marriage prevalence, Sepahijala’s transformation is a testament to community-driven change. The district, which shares a border with Bangladesh and is home to over 5.4 lakh people, has historically faced challenges related to poverty, early school dropouts, and gender inequality.
“This recognition is the result of sustained grassroots-level efforts, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder synergy,” said DM Jaiswal.
🤝 Community-Led Change: Who Made It Possible?
The success of Mission Sankalp in Sepahijala is attributed to the collaborative efforts of:
- Panchayat leaders
- Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
- Police personnel
- Childline volunteers
- School teachers and ASHA workers
These stakeholders conducted door-to-door awareness drives, counseling sessions, and interventions to stop underage marriages before they occurred.
📈 Impact and Future Goals
| Metric | Status (as of June 2025) |
|---|---|
| Villages Certified (Bronze) | 10 |
| Child Marriages Prevented | Multiple cases across 3 blocks |
| Target for 2026 | 25 villages to reach Silver category |
| Long-Term Vision | 100% CMF villages across Sepahijala |
The district administration aims to scale up the initiative by introducing school-based awareness modules, helpline integration, and financial incentives for CMF-certified villages.
