Child marriages are still rampant in India despite laws which ban them. Lakhs of children are being made to marry before they cross the age of ten. The practice of child marriage is more rampant in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. It is worthwhile noting that the legal marriage age for girls and boys in India is 18 and 21 respectively.
Let us get into the numbers behind the child marriages in India. The numbers are taken from census data and an article by the Times Of India. 1. India – 1.21 crore or 1.89% of the 64 crore married populace were less than 10 years when they got married.
2. Gujarat – 7.03 lakh i.e 4.67 lakh females and 2.36 lakh males or 2.09% of Gujarat’s 3.36 crore married population have being married under the age of 10
3. Rajasthan – 10.29 lakh or 2.88% of 3.57 crore married people get married before the age of 10.
As a rescue mission, the 181 Abhayam helpline for women is helping in stopping of many child marriages.
The Logical Indian requests the government to reach out to NGO’s and various activists and incentivize reporting of child marriages. Such mass reach out can prevent child marriages and can help in young boys and girls in pursuing their education and contribute to nation building.
