The recent amendments to the “Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act 2009” have raised concerns about the impact on child marriages. While aiming to streamline marriage registration, the
The recent amendments to the “Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act 2009” have raised concerns about the impact on child marriages. While aiming to streamline marriage registration, the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) warns that the amendments could legitimize child marriages instead of preventing them. With child marriage rates increasing during the pandemic, this issue demands urgent attention.
The amendments expand the number of marriage officers and ensure all marriages, including child marriages, are registered. Though child marriages are not deemed invalid under the Prohibition of Child Marriages Act, 2006 (PCMA), the registration process may inadvertently grant them legal recognition. The PCMA penalizes parents and guardians who promote child marriages, which makes the requirement to register such marriages questionable.
AIDWA, which has long fought against child marriages, stresses that these unions have devastating effects, particularly on young girls. The rise in child marriages during the pandemic, driven by poverty and unemployment, has made girls more vulnerable to:
AIDWA urges the government to reconsider the implications of the amendment and tackle the root causes of child marriages, including poverty and unemployment. The organization advocates for stronger protective measures for young girls, ensuring their safety and education.
The Rajasthan Amendment Act 2021 has stirred concerns over its potential to legitimize child marriages. AIDWA continues to push for comprehensive solutions that address the socioeconomic factors driving these unions and protect young girls from the lifelong harm they cause.