Lancet Study On Child Marriage In India

Lancet Study On Child Marriage In India:

Lancet study on child marriage in India highlighted an overall decrease in child marriage across the country.

• However, it emphasized that certain states, specifically Bihar (16.7%), West Bengal (15.2%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%), and Maharashtra (8.2%), collectively contributed to over half of the total headcount burden of child marriages in girls.
• West Bengal region has experienced a substantial surge of 32.3% in the incidence of child marriages.
• This increase corresponds to over 500,000 additional girls getting married as children.
• As West Bengal’s 105 cases under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 in 2021 raise concerns.
• Because comparatively, states with smaller populations reported more cases.
• The Ministry introduced the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, proposing raising the age of marriage for women to 21, currently under Parliamentary review.
• The data suggests gaps in law enforcement and highlights the need for comprehensive strategies.