Migration, poverty reasons for minors’ marriage: Activists

According to data available with the Department of Social Welfare, till end of October 2018, about 14 marriages have been reported in Chennai. The number is the highest since 2014, when 18 marriages were reported and stopped in the city.

Over the last 10 years, Chennai alone has seen 61 such marriages being reported and stopped, only after the Nilgiris (60), Nagapattinam (58) and Thiruvarur (51). While the numbers in other districts like Dharmapuri and Perambalur are higher with 799 and 615 child marriages reported respectively, activists and experts stressed the need for a comprehensive campaign against child marriages with a focus on urban areas. Earlier, the Census Data of 2011 had indicated that the city topped in the State, with the highest number of girls under the age of 15 married at the time of the survey was 5,480 girls.

The source from the Department admitted, “We get to know of 100-130 cases across the State every month and last year alone we had 1,636 marriages reported and stopped, while this year we already have surpassed the figure with 1,664 cases.” 

The source added that the high numbers of reporting are due to the child helpline 1098, and the development in technology that makes information reach faster for the department to act upon it in coordination with the public. 

S Thomas Jayaraj, state convenor, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Protection Network, said over the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of child marriages in the city due to increased migration. “Monetary conditions push them to migrate to urban areas like Chennai. 

The want of better economic position prompts both parents to work, while daughters are left behind at their homes. There is always a lack of security in the new areas and the fear of their daughter’s safety makes them marry them off before the eligible age,” he said.

A survey carried out by Dhaagam Foundation last year revealed that at least 21 per cent of those surveyed were married off before they turned 16.

Govind Murugan, a member of the foundation said that by interacting with the women, they got to know that child marriage was a result of a combination of social and cultural causes. “Parents of girls feel that they carry a burden which can only be lightened by marrying them off. It is a belief dominant among the community and can only change with education,” he adds. This only proves why 38 per cent of the women there were given away in marriage before they turned 20.

S Thomas Jayaraj, state convenor of Tamil Nadu Child Rights Protection Network, said that the environment is extremely threatening for those who migrate in search of greener pastures. “Girl can develop relationship with boys. The thought that their daughters stand the risk of getting pregnant before marriage, makes parents marry them off early,” he said.

Even as there is a law—the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act--- that states that the legal age for marriage is 18 years and above for girls and 21 years and above for boys, child marriages often take place and may not even be reported, claimed Sudha Ramalingam, a senior advocate of Madras High Court. “It is the responsibility of the civil society to report it,” she said.

She added that sometimes the economic or social status has little to do with the mindset. “There have been instances of people who are financially stable or well off — such as an IPS officer or even a judge — getting their daughters married before they reach the eligible age. Laws take time to permeate in society. Just like how we put an end to Sati and brought about widow remarriages through law, we can end child marriages only in due course.”

In many cases, FIRs are rarely filed by the police, says the source from the department. Only one FIR has been filed in Chennai in the last ten years while for the remaining, either parents have filed a mutual agreement (59 in Chennai) or a court injunction order (one in Chennai) has been obtained. “If stricter action is initiated then it could create a fear in the minds of people,” said the source. Such marriages often happen when the bride is between 15 and 17 years, added the source. “They seem to lose interest in studies at that age. The schemes aimed at girls have two criteria — they must have taken Class X exams and should have completed 18 years. They complete Class X by 15 years. So, in the interim period, if we link schemes, they could serve as an effective deterrent.”

Interestingly, most of the girls rescued from child marriages and lodged in protection homes express interest to continue with their education. In fact, the department has identified over 250 girls who want to complete education and have sought Rs 35.63 lakh funds from the government to support them.

Here, Jayaraj opined that a social awareness programme must be launched to educate parents from lower income groups. “The campaign should drive the message that it is not good for their daughter’s health among other negative impact,” he said. The district child protection officer and child helpline can only do so much, the rest must be addressed through concerted efforts, state convenor of Tamil Nadu Child Rights Protection Network added.