Child Marriage Bill - 2022 And Patriarchy Lives On…

Raising the marriage age of women from 18 to 21 years has its drawbacks. In reality what is needed is their economic and health empowerment and achieving sustainable development goals

- Shaan Katari Libby

The government seeks to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the winter session. It was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports. But how does the statement of object and reasons play out and what do women lawyers from various religions feel about it?

To begin with, the Bill mentions that the “highly pernicious practice” of child marriage is still not completely eradicated from society. Smriti Irani, the minister of women and child development, mentioned an urgent need to tackle this societal issue and to bring in reforms. But as Advocate, Dr. K Santhakumari said: “If the government cannot enforce a law with 18 as the minimum age, how will it enforce it with 21?”

Advocate Elizabeth Seshadri said that instead of more regulation, what is needed are “more honest conversations about women’s economic empowerment, their education and contribution to society and challenging some of the patriarchal notions of family, happiness, and purpose in life. We also need safe spaces for youngsters to report family pressure, counseling for families, police intervention when coercion is reported and public awareness programmes to report such pressure.”