Awareness campaign targets child marriage in Rohtak village

There are several factors driving the practice of child marriage in India, with the most significant being societal structure and traditional customs. Additionally, illiteracy, financial hardship and certain religious beliefs play a pivotal role. According to Child Marriage Prohibition & Protection Officer Karaminder Kaur, education is key to combating this problem, as it fosters rational thinking and helps individuals evaluate decisions more critically.

Kaur made these remarks while addressing students and teachers at Government Senior Secondary School in Singhpura Khurd village, where she was promoting awareness as part of a 100-day campaign against child marriage.

The awareness initiative was organised jointly by the MDD of India, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Rohtak, and the Office of the Child Marriage Prohibition & Protection Officer. Under the ‘Child Marriage-Free India’ campaign, a series of awareness programmes are being conducted in schools, anganwadis, panchayats and local communities.

Kaur said under Indian law any marriage involving a minor is considered a child marriage. “The majority of victims of this harmful practice are girls. In many cases, the girls are very young, while the boys are often significantly older, sometimes twice their age or more,” she said. She added under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, anyone who conducts, promotes or aids in a child marriage can face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

“The most significant consequence of child marriage is the deprivation of rights for girls. Early marriage forces them to abandon their aspirations and take on household responsibilities at an age when they are not emotionally or mentally ready,” Kaur noted. She added both boys and girls involved in child marriage are burdened with responsibilities that stunt their growth and development.

Child marriage also negatively impacts the health and nutrition of young individuals, contributing to higher maternal and child mortality rates. Moreover, it increases the vulnerability of both boys and girls to exploitation and abuse, Kaur concluded.