Child Marriage in India

Written by- Runit Rathod 

Child marriage is a serious issue in India, where a large number of 

children, mostly girls, are married off before the legal age of marriage. 

According to the latest data available from the National Family Health 

Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-20, about 30% of women aged 20-24 years were married 

before the age of 18 in India.

Child marriage is prevalent in both rural and urban areas, but it is more 

prevalent in rural areas. Poverty, lack of education, and social norms that 

prioritize early marriage for girls are some of the main factors 

contributing to child marriage in India.

Child marriage has serious consequences for the health and well-being of 

girls. Girls who marry at a young age are more likely to drop out of 

school, suffer from domestic violence, have poor health outcomes, and have 

fewer economic opportunities. Child marriage also perpetuates the cycle of 

poverty, as girls who marry young are more likely to have children at a 

young age and have a higher risk of maternal mortality and morbidity.

The Indian government has taken steps to address the issue of child 

marriage, including the passage of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in 

2006, which criminalizes child marriage and imposes penalties on those who 

promote or facilitate it. The government has also launched various 

initiatives to promote girls' education, raise awareness about the harms of 

child marriage, and provide support services for girls who are at risk of 

child marriage.

However, more needs to be done to eliminate child marriage in India. This 

requires concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and 

communities to change social norms and attitudes that perpetuate child 

marriage, and to provide girls with the education and opportunities they 

need to reach their full potential.