A significant 81 percent decline in child marriage cases has been recorded in Assam between 2021-22 and 2023-24, according to a recent report titled "Towards Justice: Ending Child Marriage."
Released on the World Day for International Justice on July 17, the report credits this success to the Assam state government’s initiatives and rigorous prosecution efforts.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the findings on X, stating, "This exceptional report by @IndiaCPOrg is a shining testament to our sustained efforts in empowering Nari Shakti. With over 3,000 arrests, our zero-tolerance approach has led to an 81% decline in child marriages since 2021. We will not rest until we eliminate this social evil."
The report highlights remarkable progress in several districts. Jorhat and Nagaon districts have achieved a complete 100 percent reduction in child marriage cases, while Goalpara has reported an 8 percent decrease.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and surveys conducted in 1,132 villages across 20 districts, covering a population of 21 lakh with 8 lakh children, demonstrate significant strides in eradicating child marriages.
The report also reveals that 30 percent of the surveyed villages have completely eradicated child marriage, and 40 percent have seen substantial reductions.
Furthermore, 98 percent of Assam's population believes that prosecution is essential in ending child marriage.
The report recommends the creation of fast-track special courts to clear the backlog of child marriage cases. It suggests that in situations where parents, guardians, or panchayats have provided an undertaking, the punishment should be doubled and treated as equivalent to criminal conspiracy for rape.
Additionally, a specific provision for the rehabilitation of victims and survivors of child marriage, treating them on par with survivors of child sexual abuse, is proposed.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's state-wide campaign against child marriage, launched in January 2023, has led to 3,015 arrests, showcasing the government’s dedication to combating this crime.
The campaign has been instrumental in driving the significant reduction in child marriages across the state.
Despite these achievements, the report notes that 3,563 child marriage cases remain pending trial, which could take 19 years to resolve at the current rate.
Nonetheless, the progress made in Assam offers a hopeful outlook for the eradication of child marriage in the state and potentially across the country.
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