Child marriage is a bane in India: A glance at several shocking facts

The curse of child marriage is still prevailing in the remote areas of the nation.

The issue of child marriage has always been an alarming one. Though it has minimised with the passage of time, but still, it exists on a large scale in the remote areas.

Child marriages have existed in India from the times of the Delhi Sultanate when the monarchy system was prevalent. It was also used as a weapon to protect girls from rapes and abduction by foreign rulers.

Alas! We are now free from the reign of the foreign rulers but could not make our nation free from the trap of this curse. The sweet little minds, who do not even know the names of their partners and have no idea about all the responsibilities; are made to remember chores.

Meaning of child marriage:

Child marriage can be described as a formal marriage or an informal union entered into by an individual before attaining the prescribed eligible age.

Children at this age are so immature to take such big decisions in life so, in a way; this is a form of a forced marriage.

Several global organizations such as UNICEF have specified children under the age of 18 as minors.

The legally prescribed marriageable age in some jurisdictions is below 18 years, especially in the case of girls; and even when the age is set at 18 years, many jurisdictions permit earlier marriage with parental consent or in special circumstances, such as teenage pregnancy.

Moreover, in certain countries, even when the legal marriage age is 18, cultural traditions take priority over legislative law.

The curse of child marriage is still prevailing in the remote areas of the nation.

Various reasons for child marriage

Child marriages often occurred throughout history and are still prevailing due to variety of reasons including:

• Poverty
• Insecurity
• Political and financial reasons
• Lack of education
• Patriarchy and gender inequalities
• Inadequate implementation of the law

"Society nowadays does not follow the texts recommending child - marriage nor will do so in future. Even now don't you see?" - Swami Vivekananda

Laws against child marriage in India:

The concept of child marriage has been prohibited by the Indian Constitution through various laws and enactments.

Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929

1. The first law was the 'Child Marriage Restraint Act' of 1929 which extended to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir.
2. According to the law, if a marriage occurs between a boy who is aged between 18-21 years and a girl below the age of 18 years, it implies an imprisonment up to 15 days along with a fine of one thousand rupees.
3. The act was again amended in the year 1940 to raise the ages of male and female children.

The curse of child marriage is still prevailing in the remote areas of the nation.

Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006

1. This act is a kind of an amendment of the flaws contained in the Child Marriage Restraint Act.
2. Under this law, the children have the choice to declare their marriage as worthless up to two years of reaching adulthood.
3. But, this law does not stick out to the Muslim community.

Some facts related to child marriage:

1. Today, child marriage is prevalent in several regions, particularly in developing countries, such as parts of Africa, South Asia etc.
2. However, developed countries such as the United States have lower percentage of such cases.
3. Countries with the highest observed rates of child marriages below the age of 18 include Niger, Chad, Mali, Bangladesh, Guinea etc -- with a rate above 60 per cent.

According to UNICEF's recent reports:

1. There is a decline in the practice of child marriage around the world.
2. During the past decade, the proportion of young women who were married as children decreased by 15 per cent -- from 1 in 4 (25 per cent) to approximately 1 in 5 (21 per cent).
3. Still, approximately 650 million girls and women alive today were married before their 18th birthday.
4. While the global reduction in child marriage is to be celebrated, no region is on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of eliminating this harmful practice by 2030.

How to increase awareness among people regarding child marriage?

The situation has become so pathetic that there is an immediate need to make people aware regarding child marriage and its consequences.

1. Children should be made aware of their human rights and must be taught to refuse and speak up once such an incident is taking place or is about to take place.
2. The media can play a vital role by broadcasting various entertainment shows like 'Balika Vadhu' in order to make people aware as well as to warn them.
3. In a way, media sensitization is required for a major change to take place.
4. According to IndiaCelebrating.com, it is stated that child marriage will still take nearly 50 years to be eradicated; genuine efforts, strict enforcement of the legal provisions and a change in the scenarios to a great extent is important to do so.
5. Child marriage has been declining at a rate of one per cent per year from the past two decades but this pace is slow.
6. Apart from all this, UNICEF has joined hands with NGOs and government organizations to eradicate the rampant practice of child marriages.
7. There are also various organizations which provide the victims of child marriage with funds till the time they are not mature enough; along with their education.

Child marriage: A bane!

• Child marriage is a curse as it violates the rights of children; it affects both boys and girls, but it is more common among girls
• This institution should be seen as an abuse of human rights
• It has widespread and long-term consequences for child brides and grooms
• There are so many cases registered every year which talk of child marriage
• It is a bane for our society which in a way interferes in the process of development of the nation
• It needs to be understood that poverty and lack of education are the major factors that undermine the efforts to end this menace