Section 1 : Short title extent and commencement — This Act may be called the Child Marriage Restraint Act, (1929). It extends to the whole of India (except the State of Jammu and Kashmir) and it applies also to all citizen of India without and beyond India. It shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 1930.
What was child marriage?
Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child. Child marriage is often the result of entrenched gender inequality, making girls disproportionately affected by the practice.
Why is child marriage banned?
Child marriage violates children’s rights and places them at high risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Child marriage affects both girls and boys, but it affects girls disproportionately.
Who opposed the child marriage?
It came into effect six months later on 1 April 1930 and applied to all of British India. It was a result of social reform movement in India. Despite strong opposition from the British authorities, the legislation was passed by the British Indian Government which had a majority of Indians.
What is wrong with child marriage?
A human rights violation, child marriage directly impacts girls’ education, health, psychologic well-being, and the health of their offspring. It increases the risk for depression, sexually transmitted infection, cervical cancer, malaria, obstetric fistulas, and maternal mortality.
What are the dangers of child marriage?
Early marriage is a harmful practice that denies girls their right to make vital decisions about their sexual health and well-being. It forces them out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with an increased risk of violence, abuse, ill health or early death.
How is the issue of child marriage addressed?
The issue of child marriage is addressed in a number of international conventions and agreements.
When did UNICEF start focusing on child marriage?
In 2003, UNICEF and partners agreed to focus on five indicators related to child marriage: Percentage of ever-married women who were directly involved in the choice of their first husband or partner.
Where are the highest levels of child marriage?
Child marriage among girls. Across the globe, levels of child marriage are highest in sub-Saharan Africa, where 35 per cent of young women were married before age 18, followed by South Asia, where nearly 30 per cent were married before age 18. Lower levels of child marriage are found in Latin America and Caribbean (24 per cent, data not shown).
Are there any countries that collect data on child marriage?
Many countries also collect data on the marital status and age at first marriage for boys and men, thereby allowing a comparison of gender differentials related to child marriage. The context and indicators related to child marriage and cohabitation can be approached through the examination of age groups.
