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Picture Courtesy:   unicef 

Context

India has a stated commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Target 5.3).

What is Child Marriage?

Child marriage is defined as any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child.

Current Status of Child Marriage in India

National Prevalence: Percentage of marriage among women aged 20-24 who were married before 18 has decreased from 47.4% in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) to 23.3% in 2019-21 (Source: NFHS-5).

Global Burden: Despite the percentage decline, India is home to the world's largest number of child brides, accounting for approximately one-third of the global total (Source: UNICEF).

Rural-Urban Divide: The prevalence is higher in rural areas (27%) compared to urban areas (14.7%) (Source: NFHS-5).

State-wise Disparities: Progress is highly uneven across states. Several states have a much higher prevalence than the national average.

Source: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21.

What are the Root Causes for Persistence of Child Marriage?

Child marriage is a complex issue driven by a combination of socio-cultural norms, economic factors, and legal implementation gaps.

Socio-Cultural Factors

Deep-rooted Patriarchy: Girls are often seen as an economic liability ('paraya dhan'), and their sexuality is controlled through early marriage to protect "family honour".

Social Norms: In many communities, marrying girls early is a long-standing tradition, and deviating from it can lead to social ostracism.

Economic Drivers

Poverty: Poorer families often marry their daughters early to reduce the economic burden. 40% of women from the lowest wealth quintile were married as children, compared to just 8% from the highest (Source: NFHS-5).

Low Education Levels: Education is the single most effective tool against child marriage. 48% of women with no schooling were married before 18, compared to only 4% of women with 12 or more years of schooling (Source: NFHS-5). 

Legal & Administrative Gaps

Weak Enforcement of Law: Poor implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, leads to low reporting and conviction, weakening its deterrent effect.

Lack of Awareness: Many communities are unaware of the legal age of marriage and the negative consequences of child marriage.

Legal Framework 

The primary legislation to combat child marriage is the PCMA, 2006. However, its effectiveness is hampered by implementation challenges.

Consequences of Child Marriage

Health: It leads to early and high-risk pregnancies, increasing maternal and infant mortality rates. Children of adolescent mothers are more likely to be stunted and anaemic.

Education: It abruptly ends a girl's education, trapping her in a cycle of dependency and poverty and limiting her potential.

Economic Impact: It curtails women's participation in the workforce, hindering economic growth and perpetuating household poverty.

Violation of Rights: It is a fundamental violation of human rights, denying a child the right to health, education, protection, and self-determination.

Impact on SDGs: It directly impedes progress on at least nine SDGs, including those related to poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5).

Way Forward to eiminate child marriage 

Strengthen Law Enforcement: Ensure mandatory registration of all marriages and improve the capacity of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs). Focus on improving conviction rates to create a strong legal deterrent.

Invest in Girls' Education

Ensure girls complete secondary education by providing safe transport, clean toilets, and introducing financial incentives through schemes like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.

Community Mobilization

Engage community leaders, religious figures, and Panchayati Raj Institutions to change deeply entrenched social norms. Models like the Ganjam district in Odisha, which declared itself child-marriage free through community vigilance, should be replicated.

Economic Empowerment

Link education with skill development and employment opportunities for girls. Financial independence gives them greater agency in life decisions.

Promote Behavioural Change

Launch sustained information campaigns to raise awareness about the negative impacts of child marriage and the legal provisions against it.

Conclusion

Ending child marriage requires a whole-of-society approach focused on legal frameworks, empowering girls through education, ensuring family economic security, and promoting a societal shift in values.

Source: THEHINDU