70% girls in Hindi belt marry before 18: NCW

PUDUCHERRY: The National Commission for Women on Saturday said it was "alarming" that around 70 per cent of girls are below 18 at the time of their marriage in Hindi-speaking states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.

Furnishing details, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said 73 per cent girls under 18 marry in Madhya Pradesh followed by Rajasthan 68 per cent, Bihar 67 per cent and Uttar Pradesh 64 per cent.

She described the incidence as alarming and said that in Andhra Pradesh too 71 per cent girls tied the knot while still below 18.

She said it was found that even in two districts in Kerala there was child marriage despite education being "quite good" in the state.

Vyas was inaugurating a one day seminar organised by NCW in association with the Puducherry Women's Commission.

She stressed the need for uniformity in marriageable age for men and women.

Vyas told reporters later that there should not be any kind of harassment of women and no room for discrimination, and state governments should take steps in this regard.