Since time immemorial, child marriage has been one of the greatest social evils present in India. Marriage is a sacred institution and a fundamental social structure defining a society. It’s between two individuals ready to accept each other. Child marriage constitutes an abuse of this union and is illegal in India. Child marriage is detrimental to the growth and development of our society. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original EssayThe legal age of marriage in India is 18 for women and 21 for men.Recent statistics released by the Indian government on married Indian women show that 31.3% of Hindu women and 30.6% of Muslim women marry before the age of 18. 17.6% of all Hindu women were married before the age of 10, the corresponding figure for Muslim women was 5%. Only 6% of men married before age 18. The 2001 census found that 43% of women were married before age 18. In 2011, this figure rose to 18%. The proportion of women married before the age of 18 between 2001 and 2011 was 20%. Child marriage is more prevalent in rural areas (48%) than in urban areas (29%). There is also variation between different groups, particularly excluded communities, castes and tribes – although some ethnic groups, such as tribal groups, have lower rates of child marriage than the majority population. Girls married as children are more likely to: be in school, have low-paid jobs, and have limited decision-making power at home. A girl with 10 years of education is six times less likely to be pushed into marriage before the age of 18. She faces violence, abuse, and exposure to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases because she has fewer skills and less bargaining power. Nearly 13 percent of married girls aged 15 to 19 are victims of sexual violence by their husbands, compared to 10 percent of women aged 30 to 39 who are victims of such violence. Main reasons for child marriage In many communities, girls are seen as a liability with a limited economic role and marriage transfers the responsibility to her new husband. Poverty and marriage-related expenses, such as dowry, may lead a family to marry off their daughter at a young age to reduce these costs. Even though dowry has been illegal for five decades (Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961), it is still widespread in India and such expenses push poor families to marry off their young daughters in the hope of reducing these costs as the amount of dowry increases. the dowry increases with the increase in the dowry. the girl's age and education level. Lack of education for girls, particularly in rural areas, increases girls' vulnerability to child marriage. Limited educational opportunities for girls, particularly in rural areas where poor quality of education, inadequate infrastructure, lack of transport and therefore concerns about the safety of girls when traveling to school In particular, school practices keep girls out of school and therefore seem to perpetuate child marriage. Traditions and norms have a strong place in people's minds because change is never kindly accepted by human beings as they are creatures of habit. Thus, despite widespread awareness of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) and the illegality of child marriage, it is rarely reported. . To crown),.