Child Marriage
In India, child marriage has been practiced since ancient times where young children and teenagers are married off much before their physical and mental maturity. India has more than 45 lakh girls under 15 years of age who are married with children. Out of these, 70% of the girls have 2 children (Census 2011). 42% of married women in India were married as children.1 in every 3 child brides in the world is a girl in India (UNICEF). There are many reasons why some parents consent to child marriage and some of the reasons could be economic necessity, male protection for their daughters, child bearing, or oppressive traditional values and norms. 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 a partner as if married.
In India, under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 – a child has been defined as “a person who, if a male, has not completed twenty-one years of age, and if a female, has not completed eighteen years of age.” This act also declares that any marriage solemnized between children below the legal age limit is null and void. The act also provides punishments for various offences for allowing or conducting child marriages between minors or marrying minors with adults.
Despite this, child marriage is still widespread across the nation. States like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh still have average age of marriage below the legal age of eighteen for females. States where child marriage is most prevalent are also those who have high population. Child marriage in India has grave implications for population control as adolescent brides are likely to have high fertility and a number of unwanted pregnancies.
At Justice For India Foundation, we are steadfastly committed to ending child marriage, a deeply entrenched practice that undermines the rights and potential of millions of girls worldwide. Child marriage is a violation of human rights and a major barrier to gender equality, education, and health. Our mission is to combat this harmful practice through a multifaceted approach that focuses on prevention, protection, and empowerment.
Understanding Child Marriage
Child marriage involves the formal or informal union of a child under the age of 18, often to an older partner. This practice has severe consequences for the physical and mental well-being of young girls. It often results in early pregnancies, which can pose serious health risks, and significantly limits educational and economic opportunities. Additionally, child marriage perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disempowerment. Our work is driven by the understanding that every child has the right to grow up free from coercion and to make their own choices about their future.
Our Approach
01. Prevention and Awareness: Prevention is critical in our fight against child marriage. We conduct extensive awareness campaigns to educate communities about the harmful effects of child marriage and the benefits of delaying marriage until adulthood. These campaigns target families, community leaders, and religious institutions to challenge and change cultural norms that perpetuate child marriage. Through workshops, seminars, and media outreach, we work to shift attitudes and promote the importance of education and personal choice.
02. Empowering Girls: Empowering girls is at the heart of our efforts. We offer programs that provide education, vocational training, and life skills development to girls at risk of child marriage. By equipping them with knowledge and skills, we help them envision and pursue a future beyond early marriage. Our initiatives also include mentorship programs that connect girls with role models and support networks, fostering confidence and resilience.
03. Support and Protection: For girls who are already married, we provide comprehensive support services to help them rebuild their lives. Our programs offer safe shelters, medical care, psychological counseling, and legal assistance. We work to ensure that these girls have access to education and vocational training to improve their economic prospects and well-being. Additionally, we collaborate with local authorities to address cases of child marriage and ensure that legal protections are in place and enforced.
04. Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Tackling child marriage requires a collective effort. We engage with communities, government agencies, and other organizations to create a unified response to the issue. By fostering partnerships and collaborations, we strengthen our impact and ensure that our interventions are culturally sensitive and effective. Our community engagement strategies include working with local leaders and organizations to develop and implement local action plans that address child marriage.
05. Advocacy and Policy Change: Advocating for policy change is essential to addressing the systemic nature of child marriage. We work with policymakers and international bodies to promote and enforce laws that prohibit child marriage and protect the rights of girls. Our advocacy efforts include lobbying for stronger legal frameworks, better implementation of existing laws, and increased investment in education and social services for at-risk communities.
06. Monitoring and Evaluation: To measure the impact of our programs and ensure their effectiveness, we employ robust monitoring and evaluation practices. We collect and analyze data to assess progress, identify challenges, and refine our strategies. Transparency and accountability are central to our approach, ensuring that our efforts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Get Involved
Ending child marriage is a critical step toward achieving gender equality and empowering future generations. At Justice For India Foundation, we invite individuals, communities, and organizations to join us in this vital mission. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy—can help us prevent child marriages, support affected girls, and drive systemic change.
Together, we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to make her own choices, pursue her dreams, and live a life free from the constraints of early marriage. Join us in our fight against child marriage and help us build a future where all children can grow up with dignity, health, and hope.
