Himachal Pradesh Raises Minimum Marriage Age for Women to 21

August 29, 2024

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a new law called the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024. This law raises the minimum age for women to get married from 18 to 21 years. It updates the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act of 2006 to better address issues related to early marriage.

What Changes Does the New Bill Make?

The Bill makes several important changes to the existing law:

New Definition of “Child”: The Bill now considers anyone under 21 years old, whether male or female, to be a “child.” Before, the law made a distinction based on gender.

Superseding Other Laws: The new age limit of 21 will take priority over any other laws, customs, or practices that might conflict with it, ensuring that this age limit is applied uniformly across the state.

More Time to Annul a Child Marriage: The Bill extends the time allowed to annul (cancel) a child marriage from two years to five years after reaching adulthood, giving individuals more time to contest such marriages.

For the Bill to become law, it needs approval from both the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and the President of India. Here’s how it works:

The Bill is first sent to the Governor, who can either approve it or pass it on to the President for consideration. If the Governor sends it to the President, the President’s approval is needed, especially because the Bill changes some rules that might conflict with existing central laws.

Why Was the Bill Introduced?

The main reasons for raising the marriage age are:

Improving Education and Careers: Supporters of the Bill believe that early marriages can stop women from continuing their education and building careers.

Protecting Health: Early marriages can harm women’s health, as becoming a mother too early can lead to health problems. The Health, Social Justice, and Empowerment Minister highlighted these issues, aiming to create a better environment for women to grow and succeed.

The passing of this Bill is a major step forward in combating child marriage and supporting women’s rights in Himachal Pradesh. By raising the marriage age and making it consistent with other laws, the state hopes to reduce the negative impacts of early marriage on women’s education, health, and overall life opportunities.

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