Shimla, Aug 27,
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a crucial amendment to the state’s marriage laws by introducing the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill 2024. This amendment, which raises the minimum legal marriage age for girls from 18 to 21 years, is a major step toward improving the welfare and future prospects of young women in the state. Presented during the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, the bill was unanimously passed without debate.
Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who introduced the bill, emphasized the government’s dedication to providing girls with better opportunities for education and career growth. “Raising the marriage age will ensure that girls are given the chance to fully develop and achieve their potential before entering into marriage,” Shandil stated. He also pointed out that early marriages often result in negative health outcomes for young mothers and restrict their personal and professional development.
The amendment is in line with the central government’s decision to raise the legal marriage age for girls to 21 years, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2020. This national initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored the importance of protecting young girls from malnutrition and ensuring their overall well-being.
The amendment bill proposes changes to key marriage laws, including the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, to bring uniformity in the legal marriage age for girls and boys, now set at 21 years.
With the passage of this bill, Himachal Pradesh joins other states in taking proactive measures to protect the rights of young women and promote gender equality. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for approval, marking a significant milestone in the state’s legislative efforts to enhance the welfare of its female citizens.
With the passage of this bill, Himachal Pradesh will join the growing list of states taking proactive measures to protect the rights of young women and promote gender equality in the country.
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