Punjab prevents several child marriages

Punjab government prevented 58 child marriages in 15 months, strengthening child protection and awareness efforts

- TARUNI GANDHI CHANDIGARH

In a determined push against the social evil of child marriage, the Punjab government has successfully prevented 58 attempts over the past 15 months, according to data from the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development.

Of these, 42 child marriages were stopped between January and December 2023, and another 16 were prevented between January and March 2024, averaging more than three incidents per month. Officials note that the pace of reporting has risen sharply in recent months, with over five interventions per month in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

Interestingly, 55 of the 58 cases involved local Punjabi families, while only three involved migrant families settled in the state. The overwhelming majority of victims were minor girls, many forced into marriages with men significantly older than them. Only one case involved a minor boy. Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, against those responsible in several cases.