Question : Child Marriages

(a) whether child marriages are still prevalent in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas and if so, the number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government has any data on pregnant women below the age of 18 and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the various laws and programmes are not effectively implemented in the country to curb such practices;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the further steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent child marriages across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) There is an overall decline in the incidence of child marriage in the country. As per Census, the percentage of ever married girls below legal age has reduced from 2.51% in 2001 to 2.44% in 2011. For boys, this figure has reduced from 9.64% in 2001 to 2.54% in 2011. Further, ‘nil’ marriages were reported in the age group of 0-9 years for both boys and girls in Census 2011. In rural areas too, there is a decline of 0.32 percentage points for girls and a decline of 7.67 percentage points for boys. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, the State-wise Cases Registered (CR) under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 during 2014, 2015 and 2016 are at Annexure-I.
(b) As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4(2015-16), the percentage of Women age 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant is 7.9%. This is a reduction from 16% as measured in National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3(2005-06).

(c) to (e) The Government of India has enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 in order to prohibit child marriages rather than only restraining them. The States/UTs from time to time are being regularly pursued for effective implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. MWCD regularly sends out letters to District Collectors to increase alertness to prevent underage marriages during festivals such as Akshaya Tritiya/Akha Teej. The prevention of child marriage and protection of the girl child is a prominent part of the National Plan of Action for Children, 2016.
The practice of Child Marriages is largely due to the prevailing social customs, tradition, illiteracy, poverty, low status of women in society and lack of awareness. These issues cannot be tackled by legislative interventions alone. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme is working to ensure the education of girls and reduce dropouts, thus delaying their marriage. A significant part of the BBBP advocacy campaign is focused on creating awareness on and discouraging the practice of child marriage. Further, the newly formulated Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) scheme will focus on creating awareness and equipping women at the village level with information on issues of gender equality and empowerment, a critical part of which will be the prevention of child marriage.

This is a continuous process and Government undertakes media campaigns and outreach programmes to address this.

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