Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government is likely to decide on amending the minimum age requirement for girl’s marriage. The matter came into limelight as recently the PM has been receiving letters from girl’s connected to Women’s committee, also the ones who are aware enough about their rights, asking about the report of the committee and government’s decision on it.
To this, PM Modi assured that soon the government will take its decision after the submission of the report.
TOI reported, while addressing a Video conference after releasing a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a concern on the urgency of deliberation going on to decide what should be the ideal age of marriage for daughters.
As earlier during his speech on Independence Day from the Red fort, he had hinted that the government was consciously deciding on what should be the minimum age of marriage for girls, which is currently 18 years and has set up a committee to look into the matter. As of now, the minimum age of marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 for boys.
As per the authorities’ suggestion, the minimum age of the girls to get married should be increased to 21 as 18 years is not the perfect time for a girl to marry and bear children.
In addition to this, he mentioned for the first time in the country, the girls’ gross enrolment ratio in education has turned higher than that of boys because of several efforts taken by the government in the last six years like:
- By providing sanitary pads at Re 1 to poor women.
- National Nutrition Mission.
- 11 Crore toilets across the country under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Jal Jeevan Mission to provide piped drinking water.
