During Independence Day 2020, the Honorable Prime Minister of India announced the proposal to raise the legal marriage age of women from 18 to 21 years. Now, nearly after one and half years the Cabinet is ready to pass the bill and push the age of marriage of girls from 18 to 21 years of age.
As per the reports, after the Cabinet’s approval, the Government will introduce an amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and consequently bring amendments to the Special Marriage Act and personal laws such as the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Reacting to the news, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “Women’s age of marriage was increased from 15 years to 18 years in 1978, by amending the erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929. As India progresses further, opportunities open up for women to pursue higher education and careers. There are imperatives of lowering MMR as well as improvement of nutrition levels. The entire issue about the age of a girl entering motherhood needs to be seen in this light.”
