SYLLABUS
GS-1: Indian society; Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues.
Context: India has witnessed a significant decline in child marriages, according to a recent report by ‘Just Rights for Children’ Network, reflecting steady progress towards ending the practice.
More on the News
• This decline in child marriages was highlighted in a report titled “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India” released during a side event at the UN General Assembly in New York.
• This report was published by Just Rights for Children, a network of more than 250 NGOs working for child protection.
• This analysis shows a decline of 69% in child marriages among girls and 72% among boys in India.
• This reduction is attributed to coordinated actions by the Government of India, State governments, and civil society organisations over the last three years.
Key Findings of the Report
• This report states that Assam leads with 84% decline in child marriages of girls, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar at 70% each, Rajasthan at 66%, and Karnataka at 55%.
• Arrests and FIRs are the strongest deterrents against child marriage.
• 99% respondents were aware of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign, with awareness spread through NGOs, schools, and panchayats.
• 63% respondents feel very comfortable reporting child marriage and another 33% feel somewhat comfortable, indicating growing social acceptance of law enforcement.
Educational and Social Dimensions:
• In 31% of the surveyed villages all girls aged 6-18 years attend school, but large disparities remain with Bihar at 9% and Maharashtra at 51%.
• The report identifies poverty (88%), lack of infrastructure (47%), safety issues (42%), and lack of transportation (24%) as barriers to girls’ education.
- The reasons behind child marriage include poverty (91%), safety concerns for minor girls (44%), and traditional norms (significant factor).
Methodology of the report
• This report is based on field data from 757 villages across five States chosen zone-wise to reflect India’s diverse social and cultural contexts.
• This methodology applied Multistage Stratified Random Sampling technique.
• Frontline service providers like ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, teachers, nurses, and Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI) members were approached to collect the village-level data.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q: Child marriage remains a major challenge in achieving gender equality and social development in India. Discuss the recent progress made in reducing child marriages as highlighted by the Just Rights for Children Network Report. Also, examine the role of awareness campaigns, law enforcement, and education in sustaining this progress.