**New Delhi, 24 September 2024** – A shocking new report from the India Child Protection Fund (ICPF) has revealed alarming statistics on child marriages across the country, expressing deep concern over the scale of the issue. According to the report, an estimated 4,452 minor girls are being forced into marriage every day in India, equating to approximately three girls being married every minute.Despite these staggering figures, the report highlights a significant gap between the occurrence of child marriages and the reporting of such cases. On average, only three cases of child marriages are officially reported each day. This discrepancy suggests that the majority of child marriages go unreported and unchallenged, leaving thousands of underage girls vulnerable to this illegal practice.The ICPF’s research paper calls for urgent government intervention and stronger enforcement of existing child protection laws. “It is deeply concerning that despite the legal prohibitions and awareness campaigns, child marriage remains a pervasive issue across India,” the report stated. The NGO emphasized the need for better education, stronger local law enforcement, and improved community engagement to bring an end to this practice.The report also underlined the critical role that social stigma, lack of education, and poverty play in perpetuating child marriage, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. It urged the government and civil society organizations to work together to not only prevent child marriages but also ensure that every reported case is promptly addressed.The findings from ICPF have prompted calls for a renewed focus on child rights, and activists are urging the government to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and reporting child marriages.