India has been grappling with the issue of child marriage for several years, but recent developments have shown promising efforts to curb this problem. In particular, Odisha has been undertaking a long-term strategy to cause a shift in societal attitudes towards child marriage. Over the last 4-5 years, an overall decline in the prevalence of child marriage has been observed in the state, from 21.3% (National Family Health Survey-4) to 20.5% (NFHS-5).
Odisha is handling this challenge through a multi-dimensional strategy. Key methods include tracking the absence of girls in schools and villages, offering counselling services, and using an innovative platform called “Advika”. This platform connects all schemes targeting girls aged between 10 to 19. The state has also issued guidelines to categorise villages as child-marriage-free and offers monetary incentives for especially vulnerable tribal groups.
District Level Initiatives Against Child Marriage
The efforts against child marriage vary across districts. In some regions, the administration maintains a database of adolescent girls, while other areas require Aadhaar numbers for all marriages to promote transparency and accountability. Unique local initiatives have also been launched, such as blending a Kathak performance into local festivities to increase awareness about child marriage.
The emphasis placed on engaging with communities, especially dropout girls aged 15 to 18, and retaining them in educational institutions, is noteworthy. The Odisha police hold monthly community meetings discussing school dropouts and child marriages, promoting dialogue and understanding among panchayat representatives, parents, and children. The involvement of influential community leaders across caste, tribe, and religious groups is vital in this awareness-building effort.
Evolution of Minimum Marriageable Age in India
The minimum legal age for marriage in India has seen significant changes since independence. Originally 15 for females and 18 for males, the threshold was raised to 18 for females and 21 for males in 1978. The Law Commission Report of 2008 recommended a uniform age of marriage for both genders at 18 years.
The Prevention of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2021, introduced by the Central Government in 2021, proposed to increase the minimum marriageable age for women from 18 to 21 years across all religions. This law, once enacted, will apply to all Indian communities and supersede any existing personal and marriage laws.
Ramifications of Child Marriage
Child marriage carries serious consequences. Health complications during childbirth are prevalent among child brides, as they are often not physically mature enough to safely bear children. This not only puts their health at risk but also that of their children.
Education, a fundamental right of every individual, is frequently interrupted by early marriages. This limitation curbs future opportunities for girls and perpetuates economic instability, leaving them financially dependent on their husbands and vulnerable to abuse. Girls married off at an early age are also more likely to experience domestic violence and suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Fighting Against Child Marriage: Looking Ahead
Technological developments offer potential solutions. Mobile apps providing legal rights, health, and education information can be developed to support girls at risk of child marriage.
Religious and community leaders can play a crucial role in ending this practice. Their influential position allows them to promote education, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.
Celebrating success stories is also vital. Sharing accounts of successful programs and initiatives, and highlighting stories of girls who have overcome poverty and discrimination through education and empowerment can inspire others to follow suit.
In this quest against child marriage, let’s reflect on this previous UPSC question: Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation (2016).
