Girl’s Education: Way to End Child Marriage

Even in today’s era of modernization and development, there are still parts of India where socially evil practices persist, such as child marriages and the denial of education to girls. Unfortunately, such cases continue to emerge in our society. It is imperative that we raise our voices against these harmful practices and strive to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ and women’s education, while also advocating against child marriage.

Recently, a child marriage case in Assam has stirred up society. According to reports, over 3000 individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the crime. This has led to a divide within civil society, with some emphasizing that mere law enforcement cannot be the sole solution, while others argue that discussing the law may act as a deterrent.

Human rights lawyer Debasmita Ghosh has highlighted a crucial legal aspect, stating that once a marriage is consummated, the law deems it valid, granting legal rights to children born from such unions. She emphasizes that petitions for annulment must be filed within two years of the individual attaining adulthood. Ghosh further notes that in many cases, the couples involved may now be adults, and if they haven’t filed petitions to annul their marriages, the state should refrain from interfering in their personal lives.

The government must take stringent action against such societal evils and promote awareness regarding women’s education and empowerment to foster independence. Although the “Prohibition of Child Marriage Act” was enacted in 2006, the situation hasn’t improved significantly. Questions raised by Ghosh highlight the lack of stringent actions and responsibilities by responsible agencies.

Academician Manorama Sarma emphasizes that while child marriages must end, this issue is primarily a social evil rather than solely a law and order problem. She advocates for addressing women’s education, healthcare, and access to livelihoods to combat this issue effectively. Women’s rights activist Anurita Pathak Hazarika suggests a sociological analysis of child marriages from a gender lens to understand how inequality contributes to these practices.

Furthermore, Hazarika stresses the institutionalization of awareness programs on sexual reproductive health rights by incorporating them into the school curriculum.

Staff Reporter