Child marriage: Progress made, but millions of girls still at risk in India, say experts
Child Marriage in India: Progress, Risks and the Road Ahead
Bharatmorningnews.com – Child marriage has declined considerably in India over the past three decades, but millions of girls remain vulnerable as the 2030 global deadline to end the practice approaches. India is home to an estimated one in three child brides worldwide, while around one in five Indian women aged 20 to 24 were married before they turned 18.
The national decline is significant: prevalence has fallen from more than 50% in 1996 to just over 20% today. However, child-rights advocates say national averages can hide persistent risks for girls in particular states, rural areas and economically disadvantaged households.
Where the risk remains highest
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh account for more than half of reported child marriages in the country. The gap between rural and urban areas also remains substantial, underlining the need for locally focused prevention efforts.
International Day of the Girl Child has renewed calls for investment in girls throughout adolescence. Keeping girls in school, protecting their health and safety, building skills and supporting their ability to make informed decisions can reduce pressure to marry early.
“This year's International Day of the Girl Child theme, End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights, calls for sustained investments throughout adolescence so that girls stay in school, remain healthy and safe, build skills, access opportunities and exercise agency over decisions that affect their lives.”
UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said progress has come through sustained work in education, health, nutrition, child protection and social protection.
“India has made important progress in advancing girls' rights and reducing child marriage through sustained efforts across education, health and nutrition, child protection, and social protection. Progress will accelerate by deepening these investments while also strengthening girls' voice, agency and participation.”
Why national progress is not enough
UNICEF estimates that more than 224 million women aged 20 to 24 in India were married before turning 18. Globally, the organisation estimates that a girl is married every three seconds, amounting to as many as 1,500 marriages in a day.
Puja Marwaha, chief executive of CRY-Child Rights and You, said the fall in prevalence is encouraging but should not create complacency. She noted that the national figure conceals large differences between states and communities.
“The decline is encouraging, but it also means that around one in five young women in India still experienced marriage before adulthood. More importantly, the national average masks significant differences across states and between rural and urban areas.”
Early marriage can interrupt education, increase the likelihood of early pregnancy and related health risks, expose girls to domestic violence, and limit future employment opportunities. These effects can deepen poverty and gender inequality across generations.
Ravi Kant, National Convenor at Just Rights for Children, said financial hardship can lead families to arrange marriages for daughters early when they are unable to meet basic needs.
“It is the poorest who decide to marry off their daughters early because they cannot feed them and provide for their lives, and therefore, the success of various government schemes also come into play.”
Law, services and community support
Indian law prohibits child marriage. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a marriage involving a girl under 18 or a boy under 21 is classified as a child marriage. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, also states that sexual acts by a man with a wife below 18 amount to rape.
Legal safeguards are essential, but enforcement alone cannot resolve the social and economic pressures that lead to early marriages. Families, schools, panchayats, local authorities, government agencies and child-protection organisations all have a role in identifying risks early and helping girls remain in education.
The next phase of progress will depend on reaching girls who face the greatest risk, strengthening access to public schemes and ensuring that girls have safe spaces, skills and a meaningful voice in decisions about their futures.
Child Marriage in India: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal age of marriage in India?
In India, the legal minimum age is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. A marriage involving anyone below these ages is covered by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
What should someone do if they believe a child is at risk of marriage?
Concerns can be reported to local child-protection authorities, police, school officials, panchayat representatives or recognised child-rights organisations. Early reporting can help connect a child and family with protection, education and welfare support.
Why does child marriage continue despite legal restrictions?
Poverty, gender discrimination, concerns about safety, limited access to education and entrenched social expectations can all contribute. Effective prevention combines legal action with financial support, schooling, health services and community engagement.
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