Question : CHILD MARRIAGE

(a) whether any core group on child marriage has been constituted by the Government;

(b) if so, the details along with the terms of reference thereof;

(c) whether any national consultation on child marriage was held in the country recently;

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(e) whether the core group has finalized draft National Strategy to address the problem of child marriage in the country;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and (g) If not, the time by which it is likely to be finalized?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a)& (b): A core group on child marriage for strengthening the implementation of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 was formed in January 2012, for holding a National Consultation on prevention of child marriage.

(c)Yes Madam. A National Consultation on Prevention of Child Marriage was organized on 25th May 2012 in New Delhi, where representatives from concerned Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State Governments, Officers of District Administrations, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other institutions deliberated on issues relating to child marriage. The discussions in the consultation primarily centred on legislative and implementation aspects of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006 and other related laws. Various initiatives taken by State Governments and NGOs to prevent child marriage were also discussed.

(d) It was agreed in the consultation that “Information, Education and Communication (IEC)” measures and advocacy particularly after mapping of vulnerability was the way forward for changing mind sets towards child marriage.

(e) to (g): The core group has finalized a National Strategy Document on Prevention of Child Marriage stressing on law enforcement, access to quality education and other opportunities, changing mind sets and social norms, empowerment of adolescents, compilation of relevant data and developing monitorable indicators.