What Recent Measures Did The Himachal Assembly Approve Regarding The Age Of Marriage For Females?

On Tuesday, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly approved a bill that would increase women’s marriage age from 18 to 21. On the first day of the two-week monsoon session, the House passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment Bill 2024) by voice vote.

The Health, Social Justice, and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil introduced the law to increase the age at which women can get married. Despite being introduced in the Vidhan Sabha during the February budget session, it was not able to pass at that time.

The Bill amended The Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (Act. No. 6 of 2007). This Act is also applicable to the whole of India. But Himachal Pradesh Became The First State, To Increase The Age Of Marriage For A Girl From 18 To 21. 

History: An overview on child marriage restrain 

In India, child marriage has a long history that has been shaped by social, cultural, and economic variables. While customs varied throughout communities and locations, it was usual for females to marry before reaching puberty in the ancient and medieval eras. To solve this issue, social reform initiatives emerged during the British colonial era. THE CHILD MARRIAGE ACT, 1929 set the minimum marriage age at 14 for girls and boys at 18 years.

Additional legal advancements were accomplished after independence. The minimum age for marriage was 18 for girls and 21 for boys under Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006

What Is Child Marriage?

When two or more people are under the illegal marriageable age, it is refer to as a child marriage. This is most commonly the case when children get marry before attaining age of 18. The effects of child marriage on the health, education, and personal growth of the girl child.

What Are The Effects Of Child Marriage?

• Early pregnancies from child marriage can result in serious health issues for both the young mother and her unborn child.
• Restricts children’s access to economic and educational possibilities, especially for girls.
• It increases gender inequality.

Law Related To Child Marriage

• Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006: The section 2 (a) and section 2 (b) of this Act define the age of marriage.  The legal minimum age for marriage is 21 for men and 18 for women. 
• Punishment:  Section 9 & Section 10 deal with punishment 2 years of imprisonment and fine up to one lakh rupees. Against individuals who conduct, permit, or participate in such marriages, the legislation seeks to prevent and remedy child marriage.

What Is The Purpose Of The Himachal Government To Amend The Girl Marriage Age? 

A greater level of psychological and emotional maturity

Improved Decision-Making: 

• Young people may require additional time to reach emotional maturity and good judgement.
• Lengthening the adulthood age can give people more time to develop personally, which could result in better-informed and responsible decision-making.

Less Impulsivity: 

Seniors may have greater impulse control and a more mature understanding of long-term effects, which can help them make wiser decisions about personal relationships and career planning.

Better Opportunities for Education and Careers:

• Extended study: By devoting more years to study, a girl may opt to pursue post-secondary education or vocational training, which could improve their prospects for employment.
  
• Career Stability: Before assuming full adult responsibilities, girls can still have a few more years to develop a career path, build professional networks, and obtain job experience.

Increased Legal Protections: 

Raising the legal age of marriage can guarantee that girl has more legal protections, especially concerning financial contracts and legal rights. It may also enable the maintenance of instructional materials or parental supervision.

Lower Rates of young Pregnancy: 

• Increasing the legal age of the Marriage of girls may result in fewer young pregnancies, which frequently have serious social and financial issues.
• While these benefits highlight potential positive outcomes, it’s important to consider the diverse needs and experiences of young girls. 
• Individual circumstances vary widely, and policies should be design with flexibility to help the different paths to adulthood.
• Non-compliance with the child marriage law is prevent by several considerations. 
• To secure girls’ futures and shield them from the dangers of physical and sexual abuse, parents and guardians frequently defend the practice of early marriage.

Conclusion:

This remarkable decline over the past ten years has been made possible by the efforts of the government which improve the literacy rate in India which create awareness among people and better access to education which made people aware and now people get their daughters marry even after 24-25 years and if they have to study then now they are of advance age and there is no pressure to get marry. 

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