A recent report suggests that providing free and compulsory education to all children under 18 years old could effectively eradicate child marriages, highlighting the inverse correlation between education and this social issue. For instance, regions like Kerala, where female literacy rates reach 96%, experience significantly lower rates of child marriage, standing at only 6%, in contrast to the national average of 23.3%. Conversely, states like Bihar, with a lower female literacy rate of 61%, have alarmingly high rates of child marriage, at 41%.
This finding is part of a research paper titled ‘Exploring Linkages and Role of Education in Elevating Age at Marriage For Girls in India’, released on International Women’s Day by the Child Marriage Free India campaign, comprising 160 NGOs. The report underscores that India, aiming to end this harmful practice by 2030, could accelerate progress by implementing free and compulsory education up to the age of 18. Jyoti Mathur, Director of Policy and Research at Child Marriage Free India, emphasized that the Right to Education, inclusive of all children up to 18 years old, could significantly hasten the pace toward ending child marriage and achieving freedom from this issue by 2030.
Post Your Comments