Indian Government May Soon Change Women’s Legal Age To Marry From 18 To 21

Since 1978 the minimum legal age for marriage has been 18 for women and 21 for men. So Government May Soon Change Women’s Legal Age To Marry From 18 To 21

Center sets up Task force ,it will re-examine the matters related to motherhood and marriage at an early age, nutritional status of the child and the mother.

In February, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said :

” Women’s age of marriage was increased from 15 years to 18 years in 1978 by amending erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929. As India progresses further, opportunities open up for women to pursue higher education and careers.Entire issue about the age of a girl entering motherhood needs to be seen in this light.

She also add , I propose to appoint a task force that will present its recommendations in six months’ time.”

Following up on this, the Women and Child Development Ministry (WCD) announced that this body has now been set up, signaling a possibility of the legal age of marriage for women to be raised from 18 to 21.

Data reflects that girls who are married before the age of 18 are more likely to experience unwanted pregnancies,sexually transmitted diseases , greater risk of pregnancy related complications.

Additionally , 22 % women in the age group of 20-24 years were pregnant with their first child when they were 18.

So enforcing strict law, women’s legal age for marriage is very important decision