Panel to review age of marriage for women

New Delhi: A task force will review the minimum age of marriage for women, study its implications on maternal health and submit its recommendations within six months. Announcing this in her budget speech, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "Women’s age of marriage was increased from 15 years to 18 years in 1978 by amending erstwhile Sharda Act of 1929. As India progresses further, opportunities open up for women to pursue higher education and careers. There are imperatives of lowering MMR (maternal mortality rate) as well as improvement of nutrition levels. Entire issue about age of a girl entering motherhood needs to be seen in this light. I propose to appoint a task force that will present its recommendations in six months' time."

A law ministry official told ET on condition of anonymity: “The age of marriage is an important factor that can improve maternal and child health outcomes. The government is veering towards the same age for men and women, consultations for which are taking place among the relevant ministries.

The task force is likely to have officials from different ministries, along with experts of law, gender and health.” Experts said there is evidence that girls who marry before the age of 18 are more likely to experience unwanted pregnancies, are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases and are at higher risk of sexual and reproductive health morbidities and maternal mortality.