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NEW DELHI: The government on Friday informed Lok Sabha that the draft bill that proposes to change the age of marriage for girls from 18 to 21 years provides for implementation of the provision after two years from the date of notification of Act “to provide sufficient time to citizens to prepare for this momentous reform”.
The government had introduced “The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021” in the Lok Sabha in December 2021. With opposition members raising concern over the proposed amendments, the bill was referred to the standing committee on education, women, children, youth and sports.
In a written response, minister for women and child development Smriti Irani said that prior to introduction of the bill, the task force set up to examine the subject had recommended raising the age of marriage for women to 21 years, on a par with men to promote gender equality in society.
“This would also enable girls to complete their education and give them equality of opportunity in employment. This would further enable them to achieve economic independence, which would empower women. Marriage at 21 years would enable the girls to achieve physical and psychological maturity, which substantially reduces the risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight, infant mortality and child under nutrition,” she said.
“The government has proposed in the draft bill that implementation of the amendment relating to change in age of marriage would take place two years from the date of notification of Act, to provide sufficient time to citizens to prepare for this momentous reform,” she said.
The government had introduced “The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021” in the Lok Sabha in December 2021. With opposition members raising concern over the proposed amendments, the bill was referred to the standing committee on education, women, children, youth and sports.
In a written response, minister for women and child development Smriti Irani said that prior to introduction of the bill, the task force set up to examine the subject had recommended raising the age of marriage for women to 21 years, on a par with men to promote gender equality in society.
“This would also enable girls to complete their education and give them equality of opportunity in employment. This would further enable them to achieve economic independence, which would empower women. Marriage at 21 years would enable the girls to achieve physical and psychological maturity, which substantially reduces the risk of maternal mortality, low birth weight, infant mortality and child under nutrition,” she said.
“The government has proposed in the draft bill that implementation of the amendment relating to change in age of marriage would take place two years from the date of notification of Act, to provide sufficient time to citizens to prepare for this momentous reform,” she said.
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