Investment in girls’ education critical to arrest child marriages in Jharkhand

Child marriage continues to be a significant concern in many parts of India, particularly in the state of Jharkhand.

Despite being outlawed for quite some time now, it is estimated that 27 per cent of females aged 20-24 in India were married before the age of 18, with an alarming 7 per cent getting married before the age of 15.

In India alone, at least 1.5 million girls under the age of 18 are married each year, according to estimates by UNICEF. Additionally, around 16 per cent of adolescent girls aged 15-19 are currently married.

While there has been some progress in reducing the prevalence of child marriages in India, with the rate declining from 47 per cent to 27 per cent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016, it is still alarmingly high.

Jharkhand, one of the biggest contributors to these figures, consistently ranks amongst the top three states in the country with the highest prevalence of child marriage, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

The implications of child marriage are grave and widespread. Young girls forced into early marriages face numerous social, psychological, and health-related challenges, including limited access to education and increased vulnerability to domestic violence.

Child marriage not only endangers the lives and health of young girls but also severely limits their prospects. 

One of the most devastating consequences of child marriage is the increased risk of complications in pregnancy or childbirth for young girls who are still adolescents. Many girls who are forced into child marriage become pregnant at a young age, putting their own lives at risk.

Child marriages pose multiple obstetric complications such as preterm labour, low birth weight infants, pregnancy loss, infant mortality rates, preeclampsia risks and anaemia, among other issues.

These complications, unfortunately, lead to the death of many older adolescent girls, making it the leading cause of death among this age group.

Girls and young women who have achieved secondary and higher levels of education are less likely to enter marriage before the age of 18, in contrast to those who have not received an education, according to a study by Paul Pintu and others. 

In 2020, a survey conducted by the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, shed light on two concerning issues prevalent in Jharkhand.

The survey revealed that the percentage of girls getting married before attaining the age of majority is alarmingly high, while incidents of violence related to witchcraft allegations remain distressingly common. These issues reflect the need for urgent interventions to protect the rights and well-being of women and girls in Jharkhand.

The survey disclosed that 5.8 per cent of girls in Jharkhand are married before they reach the age of majority. This percentage is significantly higher than the national average of 1.9 per cent.

Shockingly, Jharkhand and West Bengal are the only two states in India where more than half of the women are married before they turn 21 years old. 

In Jharkhand, child marriages account for 7.3 per cent of marriages in rural areas and 3 per cent in urban areas. 

The widespread prevalence of child marriage in Jharkhand calls for comprehensive measures aimed at preventing and eradicating this harmful practice.

Witchcraft-related violence

In addition to the issue of child marriage, Jharkhand also grapples with recurring instances of violence linked to witchcraft allegations.

The number of individuals killed on allegations of practising witchcraft has been distressingly high in recent years, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The figures are alarming: 32 such killings were reported in 2015, 27 in 2016, 19 in 2017, 18 in 2018 and 15 each in 2019 and 2020.

The belief in witchcraft and superstitions surrounding it continue to plague various regions of India, including Jharkhand.

Innocent individuals, especially women, become victims of brutal violence due to baseless allegations, often because they are vulnerable or socially marginalised. 

The persistence of witchcraft-related violence highlights the urgent need to educate communities and raise awareness about the dangers of such practices.

The author visited several districts in Jharkhand, including Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar, Giridih, Bokaro, Dhanbad and Jamtara, to gather information on sociocultural aspects of child marriage.

During the visit, the researcher conducted interviews and interactions with various respondents. It was found that apart from factors such as poverty, illiteracy, family pressure and lack of awareness, other important reasons contributed to the prevalence of child marriage in Jharkhand.

One significant factor was the fear of interaction or interrelation marriage. Respondents stated that they preferred early marriage for their children to prevent such intermarriage.

Lower caste respondents also mentioned that early marriage allowed them to avoid paying a substantial dowry, as both parties were of the same social status. 

However, they acknowledged that once the boy secured a job, they would have to pay more as dowry. Despite the knowledge that legal action could be taken against those involved in child marriage, the respondents mentioned that the entire community protected them, ensuring that they faced no consequences.

Some solutions  

Given the implications of child marriage and witchcraft-related violence, the government, civil society, and other stakeholders need to take immediate action. Several key measures can be undertaken to address these issues:

Strengthening laws: The government should review and strengthen existing legislation to provide more robust protection for victims of child marriage and witchcraft-related violence. Laws and policies must emphasise prevention, prosecution and support for survivors. 

Awareness campaigns: Comprehensive awareness campaigns should be launched at the community level to challenge prevailing cultural norms and beliefs perpetuating child marriage and witchcraft-related violence. Education and information on legal rights, health and psychosocial support must be made accessible to vulnerable communities. 

Social and economic empowerment: Efforts should be made to provide equal education and opportunities for women and girls. Investment in skill development and income-generating programs can empower women economically, reducing their vulnerability to these harmful practices. 

Community engagement: Stakeholders, including local leaders, religious leaders and community-based organisations, must actively engage with communities to challenge harmful practices, dispel myths and promote gender equality and women’s rights.

The alarming rates of child marriage and witchcraft-related violence in Jharkhand demand immediate attention and action. The state, along with the central government and civil society organisations, must work collectively to eradicate these practices and ensure the safety, well-being, and fundamental rights of women and girls.

The international community also has a responsibility to support governments in their efforts to end child marriage. Funding and resources should be allocated to initiatives that address the root causes of child marriage and provide support to vulnerable girls and their families.

By addressing these issues head-on, Jharkhand can take significant strides towards a future where every individual can live free from violence and discrimination, regardless of gender or social status.

The reduction of child marriages in India has contributed significantly to the global decrease in this harmful practice. This decline can be attributed to a combination of factors, including increased literacy rates among mothers, improved access to education for girls, robust legislation against child marriage, and migration from rural areas to urban centres.

These factors have played a vital role in raising awareness and empowering young girls, enabling them to resist child marriage. Promoting girls’ education has also played a crucial role in reducing child marriage rates. 

Increased education rates among girls have empowered them to make informed choices about their lives, delaying marriage and pursuing their dreams.

In addition to education, proactive government investments in adolescent girls and strong public messaging highlighting the illegality of child marriage and the harm it causes have also contributed to the decline in child marriage rates. 

It is crucial to continue investing in education and empowering young girls, providing them with the tools and resources to break free from cycles of poverty and gender inequality. 

Furthermore, comprehensive legislation and its effective enforcement are essential in combating child marriage. Governments must prioritise the implementation and enforcement of laws that prohibit child marriage, alongside providing support and services for those at risk and survivors of child marriage.

Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth

Tabrez Alam is a doctoral scholar at the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies in New Delhi and the General Secretary of Rising Tree. Currently, he is dedicated to studying urban inequality and housing segregation in recently developed townships in India.

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