Child marriage remains a pervasive issue across the globe, impacting millions of girls and pushing families into a vicious cycle of poverty. According to child marriage statistics 2023 progress report by UNICEF, an estimated 640 million girls worldwide were married as children. This practice is alarmingly high in regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where cultural norms, economic hardships & social pressures drive families to marry off their daughters at an early age.
India, home to high numbers of child marriages globally, accounts for one-third of the world’s child brides. Although India has made significant efforts to reduce child marriage through numerous initiatives, there remains a lot to be done. This article delves into understanding what is child marriage by exploring its causes & consequences, the progress made & the challenges that remain.
What is child marriage?
Child marriage is the act of marrying a person, either formally or informally, below the legal age of 18. This practice profoundly impacts the lives of young girls, who are often forced into marriage due to socio-economic pressures, cultural beliefs, and gender inequality. It deprives children of their childhoods and exposes them to lifelong disadvantages, including health risks, limited educational opportunities & increased vulnerability to abuse.
Causes of child marriage
Several factors contribute to child marriage. Here are some key ones:
- Low-income levels: Families with low incomes may feel compelled to marry off daughters to alleviate financial burdens.
- Societal traditions & cultural beliefs: Some communities uphold traditions that view marriage as an act of securing a girl’s future.
- Lack of education: A lack of awareness & access to education among families increases the likelihood of child marriage, as uneducated girls are often seen as financial burdens.
- Gendered parenting: In many communities, sons are prioritized over daughters, pushing families to see marriage as a way to reduce the financial “burden” of raising a girl.
Consequences of child marriage
Child marriage has far-reaching consequences, including:
- Educational impact: Early marriage disrupts education, limiting a girl’s potential for financial independence & personal growth.
- Health risks: Child brides face early pregnancies, which carry the risk of higher maternal & infant mortality rates.
- Poverty: Child marriage leads to an indefinite loop of poverty as it limits access to education & economic opportunities.
Achievements: Progress made to reduce child marriage
India has made considerable progress in reducing child marriage through various reforms. Harvard School of Public Health’s child marriage statistics indicates that girl child marriage in India has decreased from 49% in 1993 to 22% in 2021, while boy child marriage declined from 7% in 2006 to 2% in 2021.
Some key achievements include:
- Legislation: The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) criminalizes child marriage, with provisions for penalties & annulment.
- Government programs: Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao empower & educate girls, with programs for women that they can only access at the legal marriage age.
- Increased awareness: Awareness programs have shifted public perceptions, making more communities aware of the harm caused by child marriage.
Gaps and challenges in preventing child marriage
Despite progress, significant gaps & challenges remain:
- Loopholes in child marriage law: The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act needs amendment to declare all child marriages null & void. Currently, only forced marriages are void & child marriages remain valid unless annulled./li>
- Poor implementation: Enforcement is inconsistent, especially in rural areas where authorities face limited resources or community opposition./li>
- Inadequate government programs: Existing programs focus indirectly on child marriage through girl child development, often insufficient in patriarchal societies. Programs need to address child marriage directly & protect girls seeking education or employment./li>
- Social acceptance: In some regions, child marriage remains culturally accepted, complicating enforcement./li>
- Financial burden: Marrying off a daughter is often seen as financial relief for low-income families./li>
- Education barriers: A lack of education among families, coupled with limited access to quality education for girls, increases vulnerability to early marriage.
CRY America’s efforts to reduce child marriage
CRY America’s initiatives have made an impact and created a difference in the lives of children, which has successfully stopped 2,722 child marriages through multiple efforts. Some key initiatives include:
- Adolescent girls’ collectives: CRY America forms collectives to educate communities & children about the ill effects & illegal nature of child marriage.
- Awareness campaigns: Community awareness campaigns targeting families & children.
- Linking people to government programs: Connecting communities & children with existing government programs to empower them through education.
CRY America’s role towards child marriage prevention
While working with the project Kalapandhari Magas Vargiya and Adivasi Gramin Vikash Sanstha (KMAGVS) in Maharashtra, CRY America came across a girl who was forced to drop out of school in the 9th standard and get married early due to her family’s financial constraints.
The girl was a member of KMAGVS’s children’s collective, and she was counselled by the team to participate in community radio broadcasts on Akashvani, organized by the project team. Gaining confidence and support from the project members, she began advocating for girls’ education and sharing her views with her community. The team also counselled her parents on the value of education, and they were eventually convinced to cancel her early marriage and re-enroll her in school.
The 16-year-old girl went on to excel in her 10th board exams, securing the first rank in her school
Conclusion
The fight against child marriage in India has seen significant progress, but the journey is far from over. CRY America continues to work on breaking down the cultural, financial, and social stigmas that perpetuate child marriage.
By supporting CRY America, you can directly help protect children from the consequences of child marriage. Donate now to create an impact on the lives of countless children, and let’s end child marriage together.
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