Child Marriage

Published on 17 Feb 2025

Child marriage prevalence is generally defined as the percentage of women 20-24 years old who were married or in union before age 18. According to the National Family Health Survey NFHS- 5, 40% of the world's 60 million child marriages take place in India.

Reason for persisting child marriage in India

✔     Poverty: In impoverished communities, parents may see child marriage as a way to reduce the financial burden on the family, transferring the responsibility of their daughter to her husband's family.

●      Example: Poverty induced child marriage was highly prevalent during the times of COVID.

✔     Lack of education: When families prioritise boys' education over girls' or when schools are not accessible, parents may choose early marriage for their daughters as an alternative.

●      Example: States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh etc. where female literacy is low also contributes to a greater number of child marriages.

✔     Gender inequality: In many communities, girls are considered an economic liability, and marrying them off early is seen as a way to safeguard their honour and protect the family's reputation.

●      Example: In India, 76.8% of boys and 66.3% of girls are able to completed secondary education successfully, pointing to a gender gap of over 10 percentage points. (Study by the India arm of Young Lives)

✔     Cultural and traditional practices: Certain communities may consider child marriages as a tradition or a social norm, making it challenging to break away from these ingrained practices.

✔     Religious beliefs: Families might believe that early marriage aligns with their religious teachings and values.

●      Example: As per NFHS, teenage pregnancy among Muslims are 30% more than the case with Hindus.

✔     Social pressure: The fear of social stigma and concerns about family honour can push parents to opt for early marriages for their children, particularly daughters.

●      Example: NCRB 2021 report reveals that at least 34 minor girls are forced into marriage every day.

Impacts of child marriage

✔     Health risks: Child brides often face increased health risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to their bodies not being fully developed. They are more likely to experience complications such as obstructed labour, fistula, and maternal mortality.

●      Example: As per NFHS-5, Assam has an underage pregnancy rate of 14% while the national average is 7.8%.

✔     Limited educational opportunities: Child marriage often disrupts a girl's education once married, girls are more likely to drop out of school, limiting their opportunities for personal and economic development.

●      Example: As per UNICEF report, fewer than 2 in 10 married girls remain in school.

✔     Increased vulnerability to violence: Child brides are more susceptible to domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

✔     Limited decision-making power: Girls who marry early often have limited say in household decisions and are less likely to have control over their own lives.

✔     Psychological consequences: Early marriage can have lasting psychological effects on young brides. Forced into adult roles prematurely, they may experience stress, anxiety, and depression.

●      Example: Lancet study in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar highlights early marriage to be a prime reason for poor mental health in women between age of 15 to 29.

Legislations and policies to curb child marriage

✔     The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA): Aimed at preventing child marriages and sets the legal age for marriage at 18 for girls and 21 for boys.

✔     National Plan of Action for Children, 2016: Ensuring the well-being of children and includes strategies to prevent child marriage. It emphasises education, awareness campaigns, and legal interventions.

✔     Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Aimed at improving the health and nutrition of children and plays a role in preventing child marriage by providing education and awareness on the harmful consequences of early marriage.

✔     Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): An initiative to provide universal education and indirectly contributes to the prevention of child marriage by encouraging girls to stay in school.

✔     Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Launched to address gender imbalances and promote the education of girls, this campaign includes efforts to prevent child marriage and raise awareness about the value of educating girls.

Way Forward

✔     Legal reforms and enforcement: Strengthen and enforce existing laws related to child marriage, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

✔     Education and awareness: Implement and strengthen educational programs that highlight the negative consequences of child marriage which includes community awareness campaigns, school-based programs, and the promotion of girls' education.

✔     Economic development: Providing skills training, vocational education, and access to income-generating opportunities can empower individuals to make choices about their lives.

✔     Community engagement: Work closely with community leaders, religious leaders, and local influencers to change social norms and attitudes that perpetuate child marriage.

✔     Healthcare access: Improve access to healthcare services, particularly for maternal and child health. This includes initiatives to address the health risks associated with early pregnancies and childbirth.

The collaborative efforts of governments, civil society, communities, and individuals are essential for creating a sustained impact and ultimately eliminating child marriage. Tailoring interventions to the specific context and involving the affected communities in the decision-making process will enhance the likelihood of success.

Tags:
Social Justice

Keywords:
Child Marriage BBBP ICDS SSA Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Social Justice