Prohibition of Child Marriage or PCMA (Amendment) Bill 2021, which proposes to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to which of the following?

The correct answer is 21.

Key Points

• The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2021 proposes to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years.
• The bill aims to bring uniformity in the legal marriageable age for both men and women in India, aligning it with the age of majority (21 years).
• This amendment seeks to empower women by providing them with more time for education and career opportunities before marriage.
• The decision is supported by recommendations from various health experts and social activists who emphasize the benefits of delaying marriage for better maternal and child health.
• The bill was introduced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is part of the government's efforts to promote gender equality.

Additional Information

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006
  • The PCMA was enacted to prohibit the solemnization of child marriages and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
  • It defines a child as a male who has not completed twenty-one years of age and a female who has not completed eighteen years of age.
  • Child marriage is punishable under the Act, and the punishment includes rigorous imprisonment, which may extend to two years or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
• Recommendations by Jaya Jaitly Task Force
  • The task force, led by Jaya Jaitly, recommended increasing the legal age of marriage for women to 21 years.
  • The task force highlighted that the decision would help in reducing maternal mortality rates and improving nutritional levels.
  • It also emphasized the importance of providing women with more opportunities for higher education and career development.
• Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
  • Raising the legal age of marriage is seen as a step towards promoting gender equality.
  • It aligns with the global goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls (Sustainable Development Goal 5).
  • Delaying marriage allows women more freedom to make life choices and reduces the incidence of early pregnancies.
• Health Benefits of Delayed Marriage
  • Delaying marriage and childbirth can lead to better health outcomes for both mother and child.
  • It reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, thereby lowering maternal and infant mortality rates.
  • Ensuring that women are physically and mentally mature before marriage and childbirth contributes to better maternal health.