Child Marriage

Child marriage has adverse effects for the child and for society as a whole. According to UNICEF, Child marriage is defined as a marriage of a girl or boy before the age of 18 and refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which children under the age of 18 live with an unmarried partner. Child marriage denies a girl of her childhood. (UNICEF, 2012)

The Union Government of India has endeavored to curb the practice in recent years through repealing Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 and bringing in a more progressive Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 that includes punitive measures against those who perform, permit and promote child marriage.