Q. With reference to Child Marriage in India, consider the following statements:
1.Child marriage is linked to higher infant mortality rates.
2.As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) report, West Bengal’s child marriage rate remains high at 41.6% for women aged 20-24.
3.Cultural and religious traditions are major factor contributing to child marriages in India.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Child marriage is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including higher infant mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), girls who give birth before the age of 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their twenties. Additionally, children born to young mothers are more likely to be of low birth weight and have a higher risk of death in infancy. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 Report, West Bengal has one of the highest rates of child marriage in India, with 41.6% of women aged 20-24 having been married before the age of 18.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While cultural and religious traditions may influence child marriage, they are not the major factor contributing to the problem. Poverty, gender inequality, and lack of education are the main drivers of child marriage in India.
Source: Forum IAS
