TS sees 204 child marriages in three months of lockdown

The Telangana State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (TSCPCR) took serious note of the rise in child marriages during the lockdown, and called for a status report.

According Childline, 204 child marriages took place in the three months from March to May.

Explaining the reasons behind this spurt, J. Srinivas Rao, commission chairperson, said, “Poverty is the driving factor behind most underage marriages. The lockdown restrictions on functions during the lockdown made weddings a low-cost affair that led to a spate of child marriages. The second factor is the perception that biological maturity is irrelevant to marriage.”

Another important factor is that due to the lockdown many families returned to their villages resulting in initiation of talks of marriages of adolescents. Due to fear of social stigma — late marriage, illegal relationships — child marriages have increased, explained Rao.

He added although many elders are aware that child marriage is a crime, they continue to practice it. Many of them are not willing to spend on the education of girls as it will create more difficulties in finding a suitable match and cut into marriage expenses.

“We are calling for reports from district collectors regarding the preventive measures taken to curb underage marriages. In the later stages we are planning to look for policy changes in the way marriages have been registered,” added Rao.

While stressing the need for creating awareness against child marriage, Rao said, “The commission is not only for finding fault but also for creating awareness among elders regarding the adverse effects of child marriage on the girl and the children she will give birth to. It’s our responsibility to protect girl children from child marriages, otherwise it would affect their health and education.”