Conviction rate under Child Marriage Act just 11 pc: Report
New Delhi (PTI): The conviction rate under the Prevention of Child Marriage Act stands at 11 per cent while for all other crimes against children it is 34 per cent, according to a new report.
In 2022, out of the total 3,563 child marriage cases listed for trial in courts under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a mere 181 cases were successfully concluded in terms of trial completion.
Despite the fact that there are 3,365 cases pending, with the current rate of disposal, the country may take 19 years to clear the backlogs as of 2022, according to a report by the India Child Protection (ICP) research team which was released by child rights body the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
The total number of child marriage cases registered during the last five years was less than the number of girl child marriages taking place in a single day in the country, according to a new study.
On an average, only one case of child marriage per district was registered for prosecution in 2022.
The report said the official data has showed that out of 63,513 children of kidnapping and abduction who were recovered in 2022, 15,748 (25%) were kidnapped and abducted for the purpose of either ‘marriage’ or ‘illicit intercourse’.
Of this, 15,142 children recovered in 2022 were kidnapped solely for the purpose of marriage.
This report used a multi-faceted approach, combining primary data gathered at the village level through engagement with key stakeholders, including Panchayati Raj Institution functionaries and NGO activists involved in child protection initiatives.
Secondary data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) and the Crime in India Reports published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) from 2018 to 2022 were analysed, along with an extensive literature review to enhance understanding of the barriers to child marriage elimination efforts and their impact on children, particularly girls.
The primary data was collected from a sample of 1,132 random villages across 20 districts of Assam, encompassing a total population of 21 lakhs and a child population of 8 lakhs.
The report said 81 per cent reduction in the instances of child marriage between 2021-22 and 2023-24 in the state.
In absolute numbers, the incidence of child marriages in the study villages has declined from 3,225 cases in 2021–22 to 627 cases in 2023–24.
In 30 per cent of the villages surveyed in Assam, child marriage has been completely eradicated.
Additionally, 40 per cent of villages reported a significant decline in the occurrence of child marriage.
The study said 98 per cent of the respondents believed that the Assam government’s strict law enforcement initiatives in 2023 had a substantial and striking influence on the reduction of child marriages within their communities.
The overwhelming majority of respondents acknowledged the effectiveness of stringent enforcement measures in curbing child marriage.
In 12 districts, out of 20, over 90 per cent of respondents believe that taking legal action such as arresting individuals and filing FIRs in cases related to child marriage can effectively address the occurrence of such cases. Overall, the same percentage for all 20 districts stands at 72 per cent.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
