According to the recent report released by the United Nations Population Fund, India figures in a shameful list of 41 nations where 30% or more women aged 20-24 years were married before they were 18 during the period 2000-11. The report states that 47% of Indian women were married before they turned 18. There are differences among regions. Goa, Manipur and Kerala have prevalence rates of 10% or less while UP accounts for 58%, Andhra Pradesh 55% and Bihar 60%. It is not as if Indian authorities even during the British period have not tried to act against such child marriage. The Sharda Act was passed long ago which forbade such child marriage. But it has been honoured more in the breach in the backward areas of the country, especially in villages. A few years ago the Supreme Court ruled against it but legislation in Parliament ran into opposition from conservative elements and got blocked.
No doubt the prevalence of child marriage in India is due to economic deprivation and societal backwardness in underdeveloped pockets. Parents think girl children are a burden and they are given in marriage without their consent as early as possible. Offering a large dowry to the grooms is also common and parents think that is more economical than bearing the expenses of daughters for more years. The attitude is even more pernicious in some dark areas where girl foetuses are killed. Education for daughters is hardly taken seriously in the villages. Girl children drop out after a few years and have to submit to domestic slavery. Child wives rarely get the opportunity to study after marriage. Besides, marriage at an early age goes against family planning. These women can never have a gainful occupation and are deprived of economic independence. The government and social activists should take positive action against child marriage and ensure gender equality.
