The Union Cabinet has agreed to bring about the minimum age of girls for marriage at 21 years of age to bring up a fresh law that will modify The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA). A source from government authorities also announced that The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, is possible to be submitted in Parliament the following week. The source also stated the Right to Equality and Right against Exploitation under the Constitution of India warranties gender equality, and the proposed amendment law is a vital regulation towards the dedication of the administration for the same as it will get women on equal footing with males. The authorities also explained that as the country advances, additional openings and opportunities will arise for women to seek higher education and also build careers. There are assertive for lessening Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), development in nutrition levels, and also a boost in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB).
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The above-mentioned things are the major justifications for influencing the proposed amendment law. It will also lead to women achieving psychological maturity before marriage, practicing better reproductive privileges, and reasonable life abilities comprising family planning, contraception. If we look at some other countries, Estonia presently has the lowest minimum marriage age in Europe, with youngsters eligible to marry at the age of 15 however, parental consent is needed. In Spain, the administration declared openly in 2015 that it would increase the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16, a summary by the Independent states stated. Furthermore, In England, youngsters can wed at the age of 18 or, at 16 or 17 with parental consent.
Nevertheless, a BBC report stated that there is no legislation restricting sacred or cultural rituals carried under this age that are not reported with regional commissions.
