India's Fight Against Child Marriage: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Ahead
India makes strides against child marriage, but disparities persist, demanding stronger policy implementation and awareness.
Photo by Nuno Alberto
पृष्ठभूमि संदर्भ
वर्तमान प्रासंगिकता
मुख्य बातें
- •Child marriage rates have significantly declined in India, but regional and community-based disparities are stark.
- •The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, is the primary legal tool, but its implementation faces challenges.
- •Education, economic empowerment, and awareness campaigns are crucial alongside legal enforcement.
- •Child marriage has severe consequences on girls' health, education, and economic opportunities.
विभिन्न दृष्टिकोण
- •Some argue for raising the legal age of marriage for girls to 21 to align with boys and further deter early marriages.
- •Others emphasize that legal changes alone are insufficient without addressing underlying socio-economic factors and patriarchal norms.
- •Community-led interventions and empowering girls through education are seen as more effective than punitive measures alone.
India has made significant progress in reducing child marriage, with the prevalence dropping from 47.4% in 2005-06 to 23.3% in 2019-21, according to NFHS-5 data. However, the issue remains a critical concern, particularly in states like West Bengal and Bihar, and among certain communities. The article highlights the legal framework, primarily the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and various government initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Despite legal provisions, challenges persist due to socio-cultural norms, poverty, and lack of awareness. The core message is that while India is moving in the right direction, sustained efforts in education, economic empowerment, and strict law enforcement are crucial to eradicate child marriage completely and achieve SDG 5.
मुख्य तथ्य
Child marriage prevalence: 47.4% (2005-06) to 23.3% (2019-21) (NFHS-5).
SDG target 5.3 aims to eliminate child marriage by 2030.
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 sets minimum age at 18 for girls, 21 for boys.
States with highest prevalence: West Bengal (41.6%), Bihar (40.8%).
UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Social Issues: Analysis of child marriage as a violation of human rights, its impact on health, education, and economic empowerment of women and girls.
Governance and Social Justice: Examination of the effectiveness of legal frameworks (PCMA 2006), implementation challenges, and the role of government schemes in social reform.
Constitutional Law: Interlinking with Fundamental Rights (e.g., Article 21, 14, 15) and Directive Principles of State Policy (e.g., Article 39(f)) related to child protection and gender equality.
International Relations/Goals: India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, specifically target 5.3 on eliminating harmful practices like child marriage.
Sociology: Understanding the underlying causes such as patriarchy, poverty, tradition, and lack of awareness, and their role in perpetuating the practice.
दृश्य सामग्री
State-wise Child Marriage Prevalence in India (NFHS-5, 2019-21)
This map highlights the significant regional disparities in child marriage prevalence across Indian states, showing 'hotspots' where the issue remains critical and states that have made substantial progress. Data is for women aged 20-24 married before 18.
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बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding child marriage in India: 1. According to NFHS-5 (2019-21), the prevalence of child marriage among women aged 20-24 years has decreased to 23.3% from 47.4% in NFHS-3 (2005-06). 2. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, generally declares all child marriages as void ab initio. 3. Under the Act, the minimum age for marriage is 18 years for females and 21 years for males. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Statement 1 is correct, reflecting the data from the NFHS-5 as mentioned in the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the PCMA, 2006, generally makes child marriages 'voidable' at the option of the child, not 'void ab initio'. Only specific types of child marriages (e.g., by force, fraud, or enticing a minor) can be declared void ab initio by a court. Statement 3 is correct, stating the legal minimum ages for marriage in India as per the Act.
2. In the context of legislative efforts against child marriage in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 (Sarda Act), was the first legislation in British India to prescribe minimum ages for marriage. 2. Article 39(f) of the Constitution of India, a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandates that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. 3. The proposed amendment to raise the minimum age of marriage for women to 21 years aims to bring gender parity in marriage laws. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct. The Sarda Act was indeed the first significant legislation in British India to set minimum ages for marriage. Statement 2 is correct. Article 39(f) is a key DPSP related to child welfare and protection, emphasizing healthy development and dignity. Statement 3 is correct. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, aims to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, aligning it with that of men, thereby promoting gender equality.
3. Which of the following statements correctly identifies the primary challenges in eradicating child marriage in India and its link to international goals? 1. Deep-rooted socio-cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes are significant barriers, often prioritizing family honor or perceived security over a girl's autonomy. 2. Poverty and lack of economic opportunities for girls and their families often act as push factors, leading to early marriage as a coping mechanism. 3. India's commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, directly addresses the eradication of child marriage. 4. The lack of a comprehensive legal framework is the most critical impediment, despite the existence of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. Deep-rooted socio-cultural norms, patriarchal attitudes, and poverty are well-documented primary drivers of child marriage. SDG 5.3 specifically targets eliminating all harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriage. Statement 4 is incorrect. While enforcement and awareness of the legal framework are challenges, India *does* have a comprehensive legal framework (PCMA 2006); thus, the 'lack' of such a framework is not the most critical impediment. The challenge lies more in its effective implementation and societal acceptance.
4. Consider the following government initiatives in India: 1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 3. POSHAN Abhiyaan Which of the above initiatives directly or indirectly contribute to preventing child marriage and empowering girls?
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
All three initiatives contribute to preventing child marriage and empowering girls. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) directly aims at ensuring the protection and education of the girl child, which are crucial for preventing child marriage. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings scheme for the girl child, promoting financial security and education, thereby empowering girls and reducing the economic pressure that can lead to early marriage. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children and adolescent girls, contributing to their overall well-being and readiness for education, indirectly reducing vulnerability to early marriage.
संबंधित लेख
न्यायपालिका भ्रष्टाचार से पहले, अन्य एनसीईआरटी संशोधन जिन्होंने विवाद को जन्म दिया
उच्च न्यायालय ने 'केरल स्टोरी 2' की रिलीज पर रोक लगाई, सीबीएफसी से प्रमाणन पर पुनर्विचार करने को कहा
केरल ने आयुर्वेद अनुसंधान संस्थान का उद्घाटन किया, वैश्विक मान्यता चाहता है
तेलंगाना सरकार ने हैदराबाद में विस्तृत इफ्तार डिनर कार्यक्रमों की योजना बनाई
पूर्वोत्तर भारत से महिलाओं की कहानियाँ: संघर्ष, लचीलापन और पहचान