A nationwide district-level study conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai has revealed that child marriages are concentrated in eastern and central India, with Murshidabad, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore in Bengal showing the highest prevalence rates.
Based on data from 2019-21, the study identified that 62 to 66 out of every 100 women in these districts were married before the age of 18.
The findings indicated that while the nationwide prevalence of child marriages has decreased from 47% in 2005-06 to 23% in 2019-21, certain districts still have alarmingly high rates. Specifically, the prevalence rate in Murshidabad is 65.1%, 2.8 times the national average. Bihar has been highlighted as a significant contributor, with nine of the 13 districts exhibiting prevalence rates over 60%.
The study covered 707 districts and found 177 with prevalence rates between 37% and 48.9%, 218 between 25% and 36.9%, and 173 between 13% and 24.9%. Researchers hope their findings will guide policymakers in implementing targeted interventions to combat early marriage. The Supreme Court has also recommended establishing special child marriage prohibition units as part of ongoing efforts to address this issue.
The researchers noted that factors such as poor education, limited access to mass media, and societal undervaluation of women contribute to the persistence of child marriages, often forcing young women into early unions against their will.