Child marriages remain a pressing issue in India, despite concerted efforts to combat it. Defined as a union where one or both parties are under the age of 18, this practice persists due to a complex interplay of cultural, social, and economic factors. While laws have been enacted to prohibit child marriage and promote education and empowerment, implementation often lags behind due to deeply entrenched traditional beliefs and socioeconomic inequalities. The consequences of child marriage are far-reaching, impacting not only the individuals involved but also perpetuating cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Understanding the root causes and implementing effective interventions are crucial steps in eradicating this harmful practice and safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in India.
Status of Child Marriage:
- The prevalence of girl child marriages has declined from 49% in 1993 to 22% in 2021, marking substantial progress. Similarly, boy child marriages have decreased from 7% in 2006 to 2% in 2021, indicating an overall national decline.
- According to the National Family Health Survey, 40% of the world’s 60 million child marriages take place in India.
- According to the International Centre for Research on Women, India has the 14th highest rate of child marriage in the world.
- However, between 2016 and 2021, the positive trajectory faced a plateau, with certain states witnessing an unsettling rise in child marriages.
- Six states, including Manipur, Punjab, Tripura, and West Bengal, reported an increase in girl child marriages, while eight states, encompassing Chhattisgarh, Goa, Manipur, and Punjab, observed a rise in boy child marriages.
Global Trends and Emerging Challenges:Â
- Globally, efforts against child marriage have shown notable progress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to this advancement, potentially putting around 10 million more girls at risk of child marriage over a decade.
Trends as per NFHS-5Â
- The age at marriage in India is increasing over time. The median age of first marriage (among women 20–49 years of age) has increased by 2.0 years during the last decade and a half, from a level of 17.2 years in 2005–06 to 19.2 years in 2019–21. For men (age 25-29), this increased from 22.6 to 24.9 during the same period.Â
- Child marriage reduced from 47.4% in 2005–06 to 26.8% in 2015–16, registering a decline of 21% points during the decade. In the last five years, it declined by 3.5% points to reach 23.3%.Â
- 43% women aged 20-24 years are married by age 20, and 61% are married by age 21.Â
- Child marriage, when computed for the younger cohort of women (18–19 years), showed a decline from 37.7% in 2005- 06 to 16.3% in 2019-21, indicating a growing trend for decline in the overall prevalence of child marriage in the years to come.Â
State-wise Trends in Child Marriage in India, NFHS-3, 4 & 5
Factors Fuelling Child Marriage:
- Economic Pressures:
- Families grappling with poverty may view marriage as a means to alleviate economic burdens by transferring responsibility for the girl to her husband’s family.
- In regions where dowry traditions persist, families might opt for early marriages to circumvent escalating dowry costs.
- Social Norms and Traditions:
- Long-standing customs prioritize early marriage as a social norm, perpetuating the practice through generations.
- Pressure from the community or family to adhere to prevailing customs and traditions leads to early marriages, especially for girls.
- Gender Inequality and Discrimination:
- Unequal power dynamics and limited agency for girls contribute significantly to early marriage.
- The lack of access to education and opportunities for girls often compels families to choose early marriages, viewing it as a strategy to secure their daughters’ futures.
- Preserving Cultural Notions:
- Some cultures associate marrying a girl young with the misguided notion of ‘protecting’ her sexuality and preserving family honor.
- Security Concerns:
- Parents, in pursuit of a secure future for their daughters, may choose early marriage as a means of ensuring their well-being.Â
- Unfortunately, concerns about abuse, rape, and other crimes against girls drive parents towards child marriage as a protective measure.Â
Legislative Framework:
- In 2006, India implemented the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, establishing the legal marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women.Â
- Section 16 of this Act empowers State Governments to appoint ‘Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPO)’ for specific regions.Â
- CMPOs play a crucial role in preventing child marriages, gathering evidence for legal actions, providing counseling against supporting such marriages, raising awareness about their detrimental impacts, and sensitizing communities.Â
- In a progressive move, the government has proposed ‘The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021,’ aiming to align the legal marriage age for women with that of men, raising it to 21 years.Â
Initiatives to Combat Child Marriage:
- Dhanalakshmi Scheme:
- This initiative operates as a conditional cash transfer scheme designed for the welfare of the girl child, incorporating insurance coverage.
- The scheme aims to eradicate child marriage by providing parents with insurance coverage for medical expenses, promoting the education of the girl child.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP):
- This comprehensive initiative focuses on empowering girls through educational, health, and protective measures, with the explicit goal of discouraging child marriage.
- BBBP aims to create a supportive environment that encourages the education and overall well-being of girls while actively working against the prevalence of child marriages.
- Recent Legislative Developments:
- Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have enacted bills proposing the death penalty for the rape of girls below the age of 12, prompting a critical examination of the need for such measures.
FAQs
Q: What is Child Marriage?
Child marriage refers to a formal or informal union where one or both parties are below the age of 18. In India, it’s a prevalent social issue where children, especially girls, are married off before they attain adulthood, often leading to adverse consequences on their health, education, and overall development.
Q: Why Does Child Marriage Persist in India?
Several factors contribute to the persistence of child marriage in India, including poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, social and cultural norms, and inadequate enforcement of laws. In many communities, marrying off daughters at a young age is considered a tradition, and economic hardships prompt families to view girls as economic burdens, leading to their early marriage.
Q: What are the Consequences of Child Marriage?
Child marriage has numerous detrimental effects on both boys and girls. It deprives them of their childhood and educational opportunities, exposes them to health risks due to early pregnancy and childbirth, and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Girls are particularly vulnerable, facing higher risks of maternal mortality, domestic violence, and limited decision-making power within the household.
QWhat Measures are Being Taken to Combat Child Marriage in India? The Indian government has implemented various legislative and policy measures to address child marriage. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, criminalizes the solemnization of child marriages and provides for penalties against offenders. Additionally, awareness campaigns, community mobilization efforts, and initiatives promoting girls’ education and empowerment aim to change societal attitudes and behaviors towards child marriage.
Q: What Challenges Remain in Eradicating Child Marriage?
Despite efforts to combat child marriage, several challenges persist. Enforcement of laws remains weak in many regions, and social norms and economic pressures continue to perpetuate the practice. Limited access to education and healthcare, especially in rural areas, further exacerbates the problem. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach involving government intervention, community engagement, education, and economic empowerment initiatives.
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