Marriage Is A New Beginning in the life of any person. In this, a person moves forward with a new relationship with his old relationship. Marriage brings both happiness and sadness to the girls. On the one hand, there is the joy of joining a new relationship, and on the other hand, there is the sadness of parting with the old relationship. It is very difficult for young girls to go through this phase. But now, keeping in mind the welfare of girls, the central government has decided to increase the legal age of marriage in India from 18 to 21 years for girls.
It has been approved in the Union Cabinet. After some time, this rule will be implemented that girls’ minimum age of marriage will be 21 years. Today we will try to understand why the government has increased the marriage age of girls from 18 years to 21 years.
We do not know what the government thinks about the benefits girls will get by raising the age of marriage to 21 years, but why it is necessary, we will know about it.
Benefits Of Legal Age Of Marriage In India
To prevent exploitation in child marriage.
There are important reasons for determining the marriage age in India for girls and boys in any country. The most prominent of these are social and health-related reasons. Fixing the legal age helps in curbing evil practices like child marriage. Despite progressing so far, child marriage is still a serious problem in India. According to the National Family Health Survey, the Child marriage rate in 2019- 20 was 23%. Before that, in 2015-16, this percentage was 27. Therefore, it seems that the rate of child marriage can be reduced by fixing the minimum age of marriage.
Risk of health problems
There are many reasons behind the central government raising the legal age of marriage of girls to 21 years, including gender neutrality. Many health problems are seen in women due to marriage early. Being pregnant at a young age has adverse effects on health. During this, the Health Hazards Of Both Mother And Children increase. Raising the marriage age in India for girls from 18 to 21 years can reduce infant mortality and maternal mortality.
However, there are many problems in front of the central government implementing this rule. The definition and extent of setting the legal age of marriage in India vary from Act to Act. According to the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, The legal age of marriage in India for women should be 18 years, and the minimum age for men should be 21 years. The Special Marriage Act and the Child Marriage Prevention Act also have a minimum age of 18 and 21 years for women and men to marry.
Now, it has been decided in the Union Cabinet that the legal age of marriage in India for women should be increased from 18 years to 21 years. Changes have to be made in the above act to implement this rule, which has a process. Therefore, the government can take a long time to implement this rule. But with the introduction of this rule, it will be convenient for girls to get married.