The silent scourge strangling childhoods in Andhra Pradesh

The persistence of child marriage in Andhra Pradesh, nearly two decades after the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, presents a stark challenge to India's commitment to child rights, gender equality, and overall human development. This issue is not merely a legal or social anomaly but a complex web of socio-economic factors, cultural practices, and implementation gaps that demand a comprehensive understanding for competitive exam aspirants.

**Background Context and What Happened:**

Child marriage has deep historical roots in India, often linked to patriarchal norms, economic insecurities, and a desire to protect 'family honour'. Historically, legislative efforts like the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 (Sarda Act) attempted to curb this practice, but it was the PCMA, 2006, that aimed for more stringent provisions, declaring child marriages voidable and prescribing penalties. The Act sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 for girls and 21 for boys. Despite this robust legal framework, and Andhra Pradesh's participation in the Centre’s 'Bal Vivah-Mukt Bharat' campaign, the state continues to report a high incidence of child marriage. The core reasons highlighted are poverty, lack of awareness, and limited access to social support systems. For many impoverished families, early marriage is tragically perceived as a coping mechanism – a way to reduce economic burden, ensure a daughter's 'security', or conform to prevailing community norms.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Addressing this issue requires a multi-stakeholder approach. The **Government (Central and State)** plays a pivotal role through legislation, policy formulation (like the Bal Vivah-Mukt Bharat campaign), and implementation agencies (police, judicial system, social welfare departments). **Local Administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions** are critical at the grassroots level, as they are often the first point of contact and can act as deterrents or facilitators. **Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs** are instrumental in conducting awareness campaigns, providing rescue and rehabilitation services, and advocating for policy changes. **Families and Communities** are both perpetrators and victims, their decisions influenced by socio-economic pressures, traditional beliefs, and lack of education. Finally, the **Children and Adolescents** themselves are the primary stakeholders, whose rights, health, education, and future are directly impacted.

**Why This Matters for India:**

The high incidence of child marriage in states like Andhra Pradesh has profound implications for India. **Socially**, it perpetuates a cycle of disempowerment for girls, denying them education, health, and agency. Child brides are more vulnerable to domestic violence, early pregnancies, and maternal and infant mortality. Their children often suffer from malnutrition and poor health outcomes, creating intergenerational poverty. **Economically**, child marriage leads to a significant loss of human capital. Girls forced into early marriage are less likely to be educated or join the workforce, hindering national productivity and economic growth. It also strains public health and education systems. **From a governance perspective**, it highlights a failure in the effective implementation of laws and welfare schemes, raising questions about the reach and efficacy of state mechanisms. India is a signatory to international conventions like the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Persistent child marriage undermines these commitments and impacts India's global standing.

**Constitutional Articles, Acts, and Policies:**

Several legal and constitutional provisions are relevant. The **Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA)** is the primary legislation, aiming to prevent and penalize child marriages. The **Constitution of India** guarantees fundamental rights that are violated by child marriage: **Article 21** (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), which includes the right to dignity, health, and education; **Article 14** (Equality before law) and **Article 15** (Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth). The **Directive Principles of State Policy**, particularly **Article 39(f)**, mandates the state to ensure that children are given opportunities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity, and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation. Other relevant laws include the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, which intersects when child brides are subjected to sexual abuse. Government policies like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', 'Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana', and 'Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram' indirectly aim to empower girls and improve their welfare, thereby acting as deterrents to child marriage.

**Future Implications:**

Unless addressed effectively, the continued prevalence of child marriage will impede India's demographic dividend, perpetuate gender inequality, and undermine public health and education efforts. Future strategies must involve a multi-pronged approach: strengthening law enforcement, especially at the district and village levels; massive public awareness campaigns to shift societal norms; robust implementation of poverty alleviation programs; ensuring universal access to quality education for girls; and providing accessible social support systems (e.g., helplines, shelters, economic incentives for retaining girls in school). Digital solutions for reporting and monitoring child marriages could also play a significant role. The success of campaigns like 'Bal Vivah-Mukt Bharat' hinges on genuine community engagement and a holistic understanding of the underlying causes, rather than just punitive measures.

**Broader Themes:**

This issue is deeply connected to broader themes of governance (rule of law, policy implementation), social justice (gender equality, child rights), human development (education, health), and economic development (human capital, poverty reduction). It underscores the challenges of social reform in a diverse society and the critical need for a rights-based approach to development.