Child Marriage in India Introduction 

• Child marriage remains one of India’s most pressing social challenges despite various efforts to curb it. 
• Recognizing the gravity of the issue, the Supreme Court has recently urged Parliament to consider amending the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) of 2006 to prohibit child betrothals altogether. 
• The apex court emphasized that such practices infringe upon children’s rights to autonomy, free choice, and a dignified childhood. 

What is Child Marriage?

• Child marriage refers to the formal or informal union of individuals under the age of 18.
•  It violates the fundamental rights of children, denying them the chance to enjoy their childhood, pursue education, and shape their own future. 
• While the practice predominantly affects girls, boys are also impacted, facing early responsibilities that hinder their growth and opportunities.

Current Status of Child Marriage

• Global Scenario:

• • • Globally, 40 million girls aged 15-19 are either married or in informal unions.
    • According to Save the Children’s Global Girlhood Report, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the risk of child marriage, with an estimated 5 million additional cases expected between 2020 and 2025.
    • 15 million children worldwide are at risk of never returning to school post-pandemic, making them vulnerable to early marriage, labor, and exploitation.

• India’s Situation:

• • Data from NFHS-5 (2019-21) shows that child marriage rates in India have dropped to 23.3%, down from 47% in 2005-06. However, the progress is uneven, with states like West Bengal (41%), Bihar (40%), and Tripura (33%) exceeding the national average.
  • India accounts for approximately one-third of the world’s child brides, with 16% of girls aged 15-19 currently married (UNICEF data).

Harmful Impacts of Child Marriage

• Violation of Rights:

• • • Child marriage denies the right to education, health, and protection from violence and exploitation.
    • It infringes on personal autonomy and contravenes international conventions like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

• Social Isolation:

• • • Girls are deprived of childhood and often confined to domestic roles, while boys face undue pressure to assume adult responsibilities early.

• Impact on Education:

• • • Early marriage forces girls to drop out of school, perpetuating gender-based illiteracy.

• Economic Consequences:

• • • Child marriage perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poverty, limiting access to education and economic opportunities.

• Health Risks:

• • Stunted Growth: Children of adolescent mothers are more likely to face malnutrition.
  • Maternal Mortality: Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die from childbirth complications.
  • Infant Mortality: Babies of teenage mothers face a 75% higher risk of death compared to those born to older mothers.
  • Mental Health: Victims are prone to depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to abuse and isolation.

Why Does Child Marriage Persist?

• Poverty: Families struggling financially view marriage as a way to reduce economic burdens.
• Gender Inequality: Deeply ingrained biases treat girls as economic burdens and prioritize their marriage over education.
• Cultural Norms: Practices like dowry encourage early marriage to minimize costs, as dowry demands often increase with a girl’s age.
• Fear of Sexual Violence: Parents see marriage as a safeguard for their daughters’ safety and honor.
• Weak Enforcement: Laws like the PCMA, 2006, are not adequately enforced, and the lack of mandatory marriage registration perpetuates the practice.

Measures Taken to Address Child Marriage

• Historical Efforts:

• Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy and Pandita Ramabai championed the fight against child marriage in the 19th century.
• The Sharda Act of 1929 was a landmark law setting the minimum marriage age at 14 for girls and 18 for boys.

• Legislative Steps:

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA, 2006): Criminalizes child marriage, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Specifies the legal marriage age as 18 for girls and 21 for boys.
• Additional protections include the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the POCSO Act, 2012.

• Government Policies:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (2015): Focuses on empowering girls and addressing gender biases.
• State programs like West Bengal’s Kanyashree Scheme provide financial incentives to delay marriage and encourage education.

Way Forward

• Empowering Girls:

• • • Strengthen access to education with scholarships, better infrastructure, and sanitation facilities to encourage school attendance.
    • Promote life skills programs to build confidence and independence.

• Strengthening Legal Frameworks:

• • Ensure the effective enforcement of existing laws by training Child Marriage Prohibition Officers.
  • Mandate marriage registration to curb illegal practices.

• Community Engagement:

• Conduct awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and highlight the importance of delaying marriage.
• Involve religious leaders and local influencers in advocating for children’s rights.

• Economic Support:

• Provide livelihood programs and microfinance loans to alleviate poverty and reduce reliance on early marriage as an economic strategy.

• Innovative Models:
  • Implement Child Marriage-Free Village certifications, inspired by Swachh Bharat’s Open Defecation Free initiative, to foster collective accountability.
• Engaging Men and Boys:
  • Promote gender sensitivity programs to involve men and boys as advocates for girls’ education and against child marriage.