Child Marriage – An ongoing issue in India

The historical context of child marriage in India

Child marriage has a long history in India and is deeply rooted in tradition and culture. In ancient India, child marriage was considered a norm and was seen as a way to preserve family honour and property. The practice was also a way to secure alliances between families and tribes.

During the colonial period, the British government attempted to curb the practice of child marriage through laws and regulations. The Age of Consent Act of 1891 set the minimum age of marriage for girls at 12 and boys at 14, but this law was not enforced effectively, and child marriage continued to be prevalent.

After independence, the Indian government attempted to address the issue through various laws and policies. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) sets the legal age of marriage for girls at 18 and boys at 21 and criminalizes child marriage. The Indian government has also implemented many policies and programs to prevent child marriage and promote girls’ education and empowerment, such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Marriage.

Despite these efforts, child marriage remains a persistent problem in India, with a significant percentage of girls still married before 18.

Current statistics and demographics of child marriage in India

According to the latest data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 21% of women aged 20-24 in India were married before 18. This represents a decline from the previous survey (NFHS-4), where the percentage was 27%. However, the practice of child marriage remains prevalent in certain states and among certain communities.

The states with the highest rates of child marriage include Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. In these states, more than 30% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18.

Child marriage is also more prevalent among certain socioeconomic and demographic groups. The practice is more common in rural areas than urban areas and among women with lower levels of education and lower economic status. Child marriage is also more common among certain religious and ethnic groups, with higher rates among Muslims, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.

It is important to note that although there has been a decline in child marriage over the years, it remains a significant problem in India and needs to be addressed through a combination of legal, policy, and social interventions.

Leading causes of child marriage

There are a variety of factors that contribute to the practice of child marriage in India. Some of them are:

• Cultural and social norms: Child marriage is often seen as a way to preserve family honor and protect a girl’s virginity. It is also a way to secure alliances between families and tribes.
• Poverty: Many families in India see child marriage as a way to reduce the financial burden of raising a daughter. They believe that by marrying her off at a young age, they will no longer have to worry about her welfare or provide for her future.
• Lack of education: Girls who are not educated are more likely to be married off at a young age. Education is a key way to empower girls and help them avoid early marriage.
• Lack of legal repercussions: Despite the legal age of marriage for girls in India being 18, exceptions are made in certain circumstances, and the law is not always enforced effectively. This lack of legal repercussions contributes to the persistence of child marriage.
• Inadequate access to healthcare and reproductive rights: Adolescent girls married at a young age are at a higher risk of maternal and infant mortality. Lack of access to healthcare and reproductive rights exacerbates the problem.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Child marriage is prevalent among certain socioeconomic and demographic groups, with higher rates among those living in poverty, lower levels of education, and lower economic status.
• Political and religious Influence: Child marriage is also more common among certain religious and ethnic groups, with higher rates among Muslims and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

It is important to note that child marriage is driven by a complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, and political factors, and addressing it requires a multifaceted approach.

Consequences of child marriage

Child marriage has several negative consequences, both for the individual and society as a whole. Some of the main consequences include the following:

• Poor health outcomes: Girls who marry young are more likely to have children while they are still physically and emotionally immature. This can lead to a higher risk of maternal and infant mortality.
• Reduced educational and economic opportunities: Child marriage often means that girls have to leave school and cannot continue their education. This limits their ability to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to the economy.
• Increased risk of domestic violence: Girls who marry young are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
• Psychological Consequences: Child marriage can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
• Socioeconomic Consequences: Child marriage perpetuates the cycle of poverty as it limits young girls’ educational and economic opportunities and hinders their ability to contribute to the workforce and economy.
• Political Consequences: Child marriage has a significant impact on the overall development of the country. It perpetuates the cycle of poverty and hinders human capital development and economic growth.
• Continuation of the practice: It contributes to the continuation of the practice, as the girls who marry young are more likely to have children at a young age and are at a higher risk of being married off as children.

It is important to note that child marriage can have severe, long-lasting effects on the physical and emotional well-being of young girls and their children and their social and economic opportunities. And addressing this issue requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach from multiple sectors.

Possible solutions and recommendations

Several actions can be taken to address the problem of child marriage in India:

• Legal and policy interventions: The government should enforce the legal age of marriage for girls and boys and criminalize child marriage. This could be done by increasing legal penalties for those who engage in child marriage and by strengthening the legal protections for child brides.
• Education and empowerment: Education is a crucial way to empower girls and help them avoid early marriage. The government should invest in education programs that target girls, especially in rural and poor areas and ensure that girls have access to quality education.
• Economic empowerment: Economic empowerment is also essential in reducing child marriage. The government should invest in programs that provide economic opportunities for girls and their families, such as microfinance and livelihood programs.
• Social awareness: NGOs and civil society groups can play a critical role in creating social awareness and changing the attitudes and behaviours contributing to child marriage. These groups can work to educate communities about the harms of child marriage and promote girls’ empowerment through education and economic opportunities.
• Healthcare and reproductive rights: Adolescent girls married at a young age are at a higher risk of maternal and infant mortality. It is vital to ensure these girls have access to quality healthcare and reproductive rights services.
• Coordination and collaboration: Addressing child marriage requires a coordinated and collaborative effort from multiple sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector. It is crucial to ensure that these efforts are well-coordinated and that resources are used effectively.
• Community engagement is key to changing attitudes and behaviours contributing to child marriage. Community and traditional leaders can play a critical role in promoting girls’ rights and ending child marriage.

It is crucial to remember that ending child marriage is a complex process that requires a multifaceted approach, including legal and policy interventions, education and empowerment, economic empowerment, and community engagement. And it requires the commitment and involvement of multiple sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector.

Conclusion

In summary, child marriage is a prevalent practice in India, where many girls are married before they are 18. The practice is driven by various factors such as poverty, lack of education, and social and cultural norms. Child marriage has several negative consequences, including poor health outcomes for the child bride and her children, reduced educational and economic opportunities, and increased risk of domestic violence. It also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and hinders human capital development and economic growth.

A multifaceted approach is required to address the problem of child marriage, including legal and policy interventions, education and empowerment, economic empowerment, social awareness, and community engagement. The government should enforce the legal age of marriage, invest in education programs and economic opportunities for girls, and ensure that girls have access to quality healthcare and reproductive rights services. NGOs and civil society groups can play a critical role in creating social awareness and changing the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to child marriage.

Call to Action

The issue of child marriage in India is pressing and requires the attention and action of all members of society. As a reader, there are several ways in which you can take action and raise awareness about this ongoing issue.

• Educate yourself: Learn more about the causes and consequences of child marriage in India.
• Speak out: Use your voice to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for change. Share your knowledge with friends, family, and community members.
• Support organizations: Support organizations like Noble Nonprofit working to end child marriage in India by volunteering your time and skills or donating.
• Support girls: Support girls at risk of child marriage by contributing to educational and economic opportunities.
• Use social media: Use social media platforms to raise awareness about the issue and connect with others working to end child marriage.
• Pressure the government: Pressure the government to enforce the laws and policies prohibiting child marriage and to invest in programs supporting girls’ education and empowerment.
• Support laws and policies: Support laws and policies that protect girls from child marriage and promote their rights.

By taking these actions, you can help raise awareness about the ongoing issue of child marriage in India and contribute to efforts to end the practice. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of young girls and their families.