It may be startling to learn that 47% Indian girls marry before they turn 18, but it’s a fact that child marriages are shamefully pursued by many sections of the Indian society. Despite government’s awareness campaign and law against child marriage, this ignominious practice goes on. Washington- based population reference bureau has revealed that the percentage of child marriage in India is more than the average for African subcontinent which is 34%. Even Pakistan and Afghanistan with 24% and 43% are placed better in this regard.
In the states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh where men folk dominate in the society and women are treated with discrimination, girls are married off before their puberty.
Marriage at tender age causes grave health consequences for both girl and her children. Economic development and literacy has shown declining trend of child marriage in the urban areas but there is
little improvement amongst the rural population.
