Can a law to raise marriage age for women work?

New Delhi: There is no rational reason why the minimum age of marriage for women should be lower than men

There is no rational reason why the minimum age of marriage for women should be lower than men. However, that is exactly the case under the current law that makes child marriages illegal in India: the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA). 

Uttar Pradesh government officials have been asked to submit affidavits declaring that no dowry was taken during their marriage. (Representational image)

Differences in personal laws don’t impact child marriages

Nutritional status and employment can be affected by marriage at any age

The law needs more improvement in other areas

The reforms the amendment bill talks about could well begin by hiring trained officers, increasing fund allocation for nutrition, increasing the right to education up to the minimum age of marriage, or simply put, spending some money on the objectives the bill seeks to achieve.