- Reams and reams have been written about how women are treated in the still patriarchal Indian society where misogynistic viewpoints rule the roost. Despite monumental efforts at ushering in gender equality, parity, unbiased treatment, opportunities, and level playing fields, there is no denying that women continue to be treated as second citizens with miles left to traverse to call it at par with male counterparts. As you are aware, several laws have been enacted over the decades intended to secure women’s safety and health. One of those laws is the legal age of marriage for women to be 18 for women, and 21 for men which have seen several tinkering over the years affirms the same.
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- Now, the latest tinkering has made the marriageable age at 21 years for both sexes after long deliberations. Of course, this is well-intentioned solely aimed at obscurantist orthodoxy that continues to view women through the prism of marriages alone decreeing that a woman must be married as young as possible. Nonetheless, a good law, in theory, does not mean much when it cannot be implemented in practical terms. Some interesting data released by the Government indicate the average age when women get married in India has increased to 22.1 years. But 23.3% of women aged 20-24 years still get married before 18 years.
- Mind you, this is pre-Covid data, and much water has flown under the bridge since then. As reported widely, child marriages have increased manifolds during the pandemic across the country reminding us of the role of factors like poverty and lack of access to schools on top of traditional notions of female status, domestic work, and family honour. Against this backdrop, access to schooling and creating non-farm jobs that women from low-income families will find suitable will have a far deeper impact than a modified law. No need to look far than at Bangladesh’s high women’s participation in labour force, largely thanks to its booming textile hubs tremendously altering the lives of millions of women for good.
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- Remember, what brought down India’s fertility rate was not the official rulebook on family planning and population policies but improved access to education and rising incomes. Paradoxically speaking, young Indians between 18 and 21 can vote, drive, go to college, prepare for competitive exams, represent the country in sporting events, and act in movies deemed as adults only. Again, skewed and bizarre as it may sound, they are legally barred from drinking alcohol by many states too, a law that’s also flouted with impunity. Thus, it is strange then that they cannot marry before 21.
- Note that in the far more socially liberal West, the minimum age of marriage is 18, with good reason. Given the above, the authorities should embark on a smart reform here by making 18 the minimum age of marriage for both men and women rather than stipulate the same at 21. If women are treated as adults at attaining 18 years, what is the rationality in raising the age bar for marriage to 21? Makes no sense at all. A reconsideration is a par for the course move.
