Child marriage crisis worsens in India, 3 girls are forced every minute to it: Report

A report shared by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has highlighted the alarming rate of child marriages in India, revealing that three girls are forced into child marriage every minute. This shocking statistic underscores the persistent issue of underage marriages despite legal prohibitions.

These shocking figures have come to light in a new study by the 'India Child Protection research team, which is part of the 'Child Marriage Free India' network of civil society organizations. The report has analyzed data from the Census 2011, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21). According to the report, 3,863 child marriages are recorded in the NCRB data for 2018-2022, while the 2011 Census estimated 4,400 odd such marriages every day, says the new study.

In addition to this, NFHS-5 estimates show that 23.3% of women in the age group of 20-24 were married before they even reached the age of 18.

81% of reduction in child marriages in Assam

According to the India Child Protection report Assam is showing the country to way forward to end child marriage. The report states that between 2021-22 and 2023-24, there has been almost an 81% decline in child marriage in 1,132 villages across 20 districts of Assam. Talking about the figures, this decline has come down from 3,225 cases in 2021-22 to 627 in 2023-24. Last year, more than 3,000 arrests have also been made for this crime.

Taking it to his X handle, Hemant Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, shared, “Our rigorous mission against Child Marriage is not only bringing a societal change but also enabling a healthy life for our girls. Our mission will continue unabated in the coming days.”

Our rigorous mission against #ChildMarriage is not only bringing a societal change but also enabling a healthy life for our girls.

👉Teenage pregnancy in April 2022: 9,330
👉Teenage pregnancy in June 2024: 3,401

Our mission will continue unabated in the coming days.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 19, 2024

Decrease in Assam due to strict law

In a survey conducted in 1132 villages of Assam, 98% of the respondents believed that the number of child marriages is decreasing due to strict law enforcement in the state. Talking about the country, child marriage was first banned in India in 1929. This act has been amended several times. However, the figures that have come out prove that this evil practice continues even today, which is a matter of serious concern.

According to the report, eliminating child marriage can also improve maternal and infant mortality, female labour force participation and gender equality. The 2021 bill, which sought to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, should be taken up afresh. But the truth is that no evil practice can survive without social acceptance. Therefore, officials as well as NGOs should work in mission mode.

Why are girls being forced into child marriage?

The report says that long-drawn-out trials in courts and poor conviction rates encourage those who do so to marry girls. The report says that out of a total of 3,563 child marriage cases listed for hearing in courts under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in 2022, only 181 cases were successfully settled by the time the hearing was completed. The percentage of pending cases is 92%, whereas the conviction rate is 11%.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that the child marriage in India is driven by various socio-economic factors, including poverty, lack of education, and cultural traditions. Efforts to combat this practice involve legal enforcement, community education, and support programs for girls. The report calls for stronger measures to protect children's rights and ensure their access to education and health services.