India's Challenge in Eradicating Child Marriage
India has committed to ending child marriage by 2030 under the UN’s SDG framework, yet significant ground remains to be covered. While the national incidence has dropped from 47.4% to 23.3% (NFHS data 2019-21), progress is highly varied across socio-economic demographics and states like West Bengal, Bihar, and Tripura showing the highest rates.
There is a direct co-relation between child marriage and deprivation, evident in the data: 40% of girls from the lowest wealth quintile marry before adulthood, compared to only 8% of the highest quintile. Similarly, education status is a major differentiator.
The implementation of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006, is hampered by low conviction rates. Furthermore, overly stringent laws have pushed underage girls toward unregistered and dangerous alternatives.
To achieve the goal, efforts like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' must focus on the most vulnerable, ensuring infrastructure, including safe transport and sanitation, is available to keep girls in school, addressing the root causes of poverty and gender inequality.