The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has passed a landmark Bill to increase the minimum age for marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2024, seeks to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which previously set the minimum marriage age for women at 18, while men’s age remained at 21.
The new Bill, which aims to ensure gender equality and address the challenges posed by early marriage, states that increasing the age limit will support women’s career growth and physical development. It acknowledges that early marriages hinder women’s opportunities for higher education and professional advancement.
Key changes in the 2024 Bill include:
- Definition Update: Extending the definition of a “child” to anyone under 21 years of age.
- Annulment Period: Extending the time frame for annulment of marriages below the legal age from two years to five years after reaching adulthood.
- Overriding Effect: Introducing Section 18A, which ensures the new law takes precedence over any conflicting existing laws or customs.
The Bill underscores the state’s commitment to improving gender equality and supporting women’s progress in contemporary society.
