What is child marriage?
In India, it is considered a legal marriage if the girl is 18 years old and the boy is 21 years old. If the girl’s age is below 18 or the boy’s age is below 21, such marriages are considered child marriages under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. Such a marriage is a legal offence.
Child marriage is one of the most serious social problems in Maharashtra. Marathwada has the highest rate of child marriage in Maharashtra, with Hingoli district ranking fifth in child marriage. According to the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS 5), Hingoli district has an 37.1% child marriage rate.
Various innovative initiatives to eradicate child marriage are being implemented in the district for the last four years through the District Women and Child Development Department, UNICEF-SBC3 Mumbai and the district administration.
Briefly about the Child Marriage Prohibition Act 2006:-
1. According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, it is an offence to marry a boy under the age of 21 and a girl under the age of 18.
2. The age of marriage prescribed by law – The child must have attained the age of 21 years and the girl must have attained the age of 18 years.
3. If at the time of marriage, either the boy or the girl is below the age prescribed by law, such a marriage is considered child marriage.
District Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Marriage for the Prevention of Child Marriage:- A District Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Marriage has been prepared for five departments namely Panchayat Department, Education Department, Women and Child Welfare Department (ZP), Health Department, Women and Child Development Department.
Provision of Punishment:-
A provision for punishment has been made for rigorous imprisonment for up to 2 years and a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh
Who is the punishment for:-Action is taken against the parents, relatives, groomsmen, pamphlet printers, wedding planners, cantors, wedding hall managers, mandap decorations, photographers, all those present at the wedding and all those who directly or indirectly help in the marriage.
Child Marriage Prevention Officer:-
| For Rural Areas | For Urban Areas |
| 1.Gram Panchayat Officer (Gram Sevak) – Child Marriage Prohibition Officer | 1.Child Development Project Officer (Urban) – Child Marriage Prevention Officer |
| 2.Anganwadi Worker – Assistant Child Marriage Prohibition Officer | 2.Anganwadi Supervisor (Headmistress) – Assistant Child Marriage Prevention Officer |
Mechanism to stop child marriage:-
1. District Child Protection Cell
2. Child Helpline 1098
3. Police Administration
4. Taluka Child Protection Committee
5. Village/Ward Child Protection Committee
6. Any informed citizen can stop child marriage by calling Child Helpline No. 1098 and informing about the child marriage taking place, the name of the informant is kept confidential.
Child marriages stopped by District Child Protection Cell and Child Helpline 1098 are as follows:-
| Taluka | Year |
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total | |
| Kalamnuri | 3 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 27 |
| Basmath | 5 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 30 |
| Hingoli | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 21 |
| Aundha Nagnath | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 29 |
| Sengaon | 8 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 23 |
| Total | 20 | 19 | 31 | 16 | 44 | 130 |
Let us all decide now, let’s defeat child marriage…!