From Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Bucha Ramanamma escaped from being forcefully married off at the age of 14 years. Sharing her story during the launch of ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign here today, she said that her parents worked as daily wagers and they led a hand to mouth life.
Speaking at the launch of Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat (Child Marriage-Free India), a new campaign by her ministry, she called child marriage a grave violation of human rights and a criminal offense.
The Supreme Court on Friday suggested the parliament to consider outlawing child betrothals which may be used to evade penalty under the PCMA.
According to police, an underage girl was married in the Patharkandi subdivision of the Karimganj district.
Phulowar Hussain of Jordanga village allegedly married a 13-year-old girl from Chirakhowa village in South Salmara-Mankachar three years ago.
The NFHS-5 field survey in the State was conducted from 19 January 2020 to 21 March 2020 prior to the lockdown and from 30 November 2020 to 31 March 2021 in the post-lockdown. The survey was conducted under the stewardship of Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR). The surveyors had gathered data from 26,467 households, 27,971 women, and 3,865 men, according to officials.
The number of child marriages in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Keonjhar, Gajapti are more pronounced than the rest of the State, the officials concluded.
The proposed legislation would raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between a 16-year-old and their spouse to four years.
In an interview with ABHIJEET ANAND, Mishra shares his thoughts on various crucial social issues.
As per the data, the highest number of cases was recorded in 2017 at 395.
