Tripura govt intensifies efforts to curb teenage marriage and underage motherhood through strengthened inter-departmental coordination under the Reproductive and Child Health programme. A high-level Task Force meeting emphasized education retention, grassroots awareness, monitoring mechanisms, and collaborative action to improve adolescent health and protect young girls across the state.
A high-level Task Force meeting held at the State Secretariat has paved the way for a renewed and coordinated campaign against the persistent challenges of teenage marriage and underage motherhood in Tripura. Senior officials from multiple government departments and partner organizations gathered to strengthen collaborative efforts and ensure the effective implementation of the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme across the state.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Nupur Debbarma, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), who highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address the social and health-related consequences of child marriage and early pregnancy. Representatives from the Health Department, Education Department, Youth Affairs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Tripura Rural Livelihoods Mission, Tripura Urban Livelihoods Mission, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) participated in the discussions.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Debbarma stressed that the issue of child marriage cannot be effectively tackled by a single department. She emphasized that strong inter-departmental coordination and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders are essential to bring meaningful and lasting change.
During the meeting, officials reviewed existing challenges and noted that early marriage continues to remain prevalent in several areas despite years of awareness campaigns and educational interventions. Concern was expressed over the fact that many girls who have completed ten or more years of schooling are still entering marriage at a young age, highlighting the need for more targeted interventions.
Preventing school dropouts among adolescent girls emerged as one of the key priorities discussed during the session. Participants agreed that keeping girls in school is one of the most effective ways to delay marriage, improve health outcomes, and expand future opportunities. Enhanced collaboration between the Health, Education, and Social Welfare departments was proposed to identify vulnerable adolescents and provide timely support.
The Task Force also emphasized the importance of expanding grassroots awareness campaigns focused on reproductive health, nutrition, adolescent well-being, and the long-term social and health impacts of child marriage. Officials agreed that the benefits of programmes under the RCH framework must reach every section of society, particularly rural and marginalized communities where vulnerabilities remain high.
A significant proposal discussed during the meeting was the creation of a dedicated monitoring cell to oversee field-level implementation of various initiatives. Officials underscored that continuous monitoring, assessment, and data-driven evaluation are critical to measuring the effectiveness of interventions and ensuring accountability.
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The meeting concluded with a commitment from all participating departments to strengthen coordination, enhance outreach efforts, and accelerate action aimed at safeguarding the health, education, and future prospects of adolescent girls throughout Tripura. Through a united and multi-sectoral approach, the state government hopes to make substantial progress in reducing child marriage and underage motherhood in the years ahead.
