child marriage in India- Rise in child marriages in West Bengal

Source: The post child marriage in India has been created, based on the article “Rise in child marriages in West Bengal” published in “ The Hindu” on 8th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper1- Society- Social empowerment,- (social issue)

News: The article discusses the persistent issue of child marriage in India, focusing on its prevalence in West Bengal despite various policies and schemes.

What is the current state of child marriage in India?

Lancet Report:

Child marriage in India is decreasing but still prevalent, particularly in Bihar (16.7%), West Bengal (15.2%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%), and Maharashtra (8.2%).

West Bengal saw an alarming increase of over 500,000 child marriages, a 32.3% rise in headcount.

NFHS-5 Report:

Consistent High Rates: West Bengal’s child marriage rate remains high at 41.6% for women aged 20-24.

District Variance: Murshidabad, an economically challenged district, shows a rise in child marriage rates from 53.5% to 55.4%.

sources: UNICEF

What are the reasons for child marriage in India?

Poverty and Social Norms: Child marriage is often driven by poverty and entrenched social norms in regions like West Bengal.

Migration and Security Concerns: Families often marry off daughters before migrating for work, fearing for their daughters’ safety at home alone, as noted in West Bengal.

Policy Implementation Gaps: Despite high rates of child marriage in West Bengal, only 105 cases were registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in 2021, indicating a significant gap in law enforcement and policy implementation.

What are the impacts of child marriage on health?

1. Health Risks:
2. a) Child marriage is linked to higher infant mortality rates, as evidenced by the death of 10 infants in a day at Murshidabad Medical College.
3. b) The same incident noted infants born with extremely low birth weight, a common issue stemming from child marriage.
4. C) Young mothers face increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, affecting both their health and the health of their infants.
5. d) The consistent high rates of child marriage, such as 41.6% in West Bengal, indicate a widespread health burden affecting generations.
6. Education Disruption: Early marriage often ends a girl’s education prematurely, limiting her future opportunities and economic independence.

What initiatives have been taken to overcome the issues of child marriage in India?

Kanyashree Prakalpa: West Bengal launched this cash transfer scheme to incentivize education for girls and discourage child marriage, reaching 81 lakh girls.

Rupashree Prakalpa: A cash incentive scheme for the marriage of girls, aiming to delay the age of marriage.

Legal Age Amendment: Introduction of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, to raise the legal marriage age for women to 21.

District Action Plans: In 2022, West Bengal called for district-specific plans to tackle child marriage, indicating a move towards localized solutions.

For information on steps taken to check child marriage read hear

Way forward

To address child marriage effectively, a comprehensive approach is needed, involving social campaigns, community involvement, and stricter law enforcement. Enhanced political will and public awareness are crucial to enforce existing laws and policies like Kanyashree Prakalpa and to create lasting change at the grassroots level.

Question for practice:

What are the reasons behind the prevalence of child marriage in India, and what are the health and educational impacts of this practice?