NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, announced that approximately 2 lakh child marriages have been prevented over the past year. Speaking at the launch of a national campaign aimed at ending child marriages, the Minister highlighted improvements in gender equality, including an increase in the sex ratio from 918 to 930 over the last decade.

Devi emphasized that women’s empowerment has been a central focus of the government, with self-help groups (SHGs) helping over 10 crore women become independent. “This initiative also provides women with rights and protection against societal challenges,” the Minister said.

She also shared that the number of women in the workforce has risen from 33% to 41% in the last 10 years. Furthermore, the representation of women in STEM fields has increased to 34%, accompanied by a decrease in dropout rates.

However, Devi noted that despite progress, one out of every five girls in India is still married before reaching the legal age of 18, with most cases occurring in rural areas. Reflecting on her own childhood in rural Jharkhand, she shared a personal experience: “During my school days, some of my friends said it was their last day in school as they were about to be married. When we met them years later, they were not in a good place.”

She pointed out that child marriages lead to multiple challenges, including violence, harassment, and serious health risks for young girls.

Devi stressed that daughters should no longer be seen as liabilities and can thrive if given the right opportunities. “While the law is essential, it is not enough. Awareness must be raised, and a cultural shift in mindset is necessary to eliminate child marriages,” she added.

The Minister concluded by highlighting that India has made significant strides in reducing child marriages and is leading efforts to lower the rates of child marriage across South Asia.