Himachal Pradesh’s Bill raises the women’s minimum marriage age to 21, aiming for gender parity but requiring comprehensive socio-behavioral change to tackle systemic issues like early marriage.
- 📜 Recent Amendment: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2024, raising the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years.
- 🚻 Key Changes:
- Redefinition of ‘Child’: Now defines a “child” as anyone under 21 years, irrespective of gender, removing the gender distinction.
- Extended Petition Period: Time to file for marriage annulment extended to five years, allowing individuals to file until age 23.
- Precedence Over Other Laws: Establishes a uniform minimum marriage age across Himachal Pradesh, overriding other laws and cultural practices.
- 🏛️ Need for Presidential Assent: The Bill may require the President’s assent due to inconsistencies with central laws and potential implications for the Concurrent List under the Indian Constitution.
- Concerns:
- 🚫 Historical Context:
- Previous Laws: The age for marriage has gradually increased from 14 years (1929) to 18 for girls and 21 for boys (1978) under various acts, but child marriage remains a challenge.
- Failed Legislation: The 2021 Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill to increase the minimum age for women to 21 years lapsed after the 17th Lok Sabha was dissolved.
- 👥 Socio-Economic Concerns:
- Health and Gender Parity: The amendment aims to address early pregnancies, maternal health, and gender parity, but deeper societal changes are required for true empowerment.
- Unaddressed Issues: Simply raising the age of marriage may not address root causes like poverty, dowry, or social stigma, which often drive early marriages.
- 🌍 Way Forward:
- Socio-Behavioral Changes: Success relies on societal change, such as initiatives seen in Odisha’s child marriage-free villages.
- Address Root Causes: Focusing on educational and economic opportunities for women is critical for reducing early marriages.
- Comprehensive Reform: A holistic approach involving social transformation, education, and strict enforcement is needed to make real progress.
