Raising the Legal Age of Marriage for Women: A Step Towards Empowerment or a Cause for Concern?
Hello, friends,
Recently, the Indian Cabinet passed a proposal to increase the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. This move has been hailed as a step towards women's empowerment, but it has also sparked significant debate and criticism. In this blog post, we’ll explore the rationale behind this decision, its potential benefits, and the concerns raised by critics. Let’s dive in!
The Proposal: What Does It Entail?
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, bringing it on par with the age for men. This decision was based on recommendations from a task force led by Jaya Jaitly, which focused on addressing issues related to maternal health, mortality rates, and childbirth complications.
The task force consulted 16 universities and 15 NGOs before finalizing its recommendations. The primary goal is to improve women's health outcomes and reduce child marriages, which remain a significant problem in India.
The Benefits: Why Raise the Age?
1. Improved Maternal Health: Early marriages often lead to early pregnancies, which increase the risk of maternal mortality and childbirth complications. Raising the marriage age could help reduce these risks.
2. Educational and Career Opportunities: A higher marriage age allows women more time to pursue education and career goals, leading to greater financial independence and empowerment.
3. Reduction in Child Marriages: Despite existing laws, child marriages remain prevalent in India. Raising the legal age could discourage this practice and protect young girls from being forced into marriage.
The Criticism: Why Are People Opposed?
While the proposal has its merits, it has also faced backlash from various quarters. Here are the two main points of criticism:
1. Societal Change vs. Legislative Action
Critics like Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi argue that legislative changes alone cannot address deep-rooted societal issues. She highlights the need for a cultural shift in how society perceives and treats women, pointing out that government schemes like *Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao* have largely focused on advertising rather than ground-level implementation.
2. Freedom of Choice
Politicians like Sitaram Yechury and AIMIM Chief Owaisi have raised concerns about the inconsistency in treating 18-year-olds as adults for voting, starting businesses, and signing contracts, but not for marriage. They argue that the legal age of marriage should remain 18 for both men and women, as recommended by the 2018 Law Commission Report.
The Bigger Issue: Child Marriage in India
Child marriage remains a pressing issue in India. According to the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 23% of marriages in India involve underage girls. Globally, India accounts for one-third of all child brides.
Historically, efforts to curb child marriage date back to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, which set the minimum marriage age at 14 for girls and 18 for boys. Over the years, the age has been revised, but enforcement remains weak. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) allowed child brides to annul their marriages, but only within two years of reaching the legal age. This loophole has limited its effectiveness.
Global Perspective
India is not alone in grappling with child marriage. According to a 2010 UNFPA report, 146 out of 158 countries allow child marriages with parental consent. However, some nations, like Tanzania and Norway, have taken progressive steps by imposing blanket bans on marriages below the age of 18.
Is Raising the Age to 21 the Solution?
While raising the marriage age to 21 is a step in the right direction, it may not be enough on its own. For the law to be effective, it must be accompanied by:
A blanket ban on all child marriages, making them automatically void rather than voidable.
Stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.
Ground-level initiatives to change societal attitudes towards women and girls.
Conclusion
The decision to raise the legal age of marriage for women to 21 is a bold move, but its success depends on how it is implemented. While it has the potential to improve maternal health and reduce child marriages, it must be backed by societal change and stronger enforcement.
What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you think raising the marriage age will lead to meaningful change, or is it merely a symbolic gesture? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Call to Action
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