The legal age of marriage for women was increased from 15 to 18 in 1978 as an amendment to the Sharda Act of 1929. The Indian Government is now seriously considering changing the legal age of marriage from 18 to 21.
This comes as the country has seen the number of opportunities grow for women, both in terms of education and employment as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned in February. She also mentioned at the time that this issue will be looked into within six months.
The Indian Government has reportedly set up a task force to ascertain crucial factors like mortality rates among women especially when motherhood is involved at a very young age. The task force will then submit its suggestions to the government so the relevant course can be followed.
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As per data provided by UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), around 27% of the women in India are married before turning 18. It is hoped that raising the minimum age of marriage for women to 21 will bring about laws restricting children from being married off too young.
However, stricter measures will need to be in place to make sure the laws are implemented across the country, particularly in rural regions where sexism is still rampant.
Another study by UNICEF mentions India has the highest mortality rate for children aged five years or below. It is said that the country saw 2.1 million deaths among children in 2006, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the global deaths of children aged under five.
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