Over 5,300 arrests have been made as part of Assam's aggressive crackdown on child marriage, reigniting discussions about the widespread issue. The BJP-led government initiated this drive to address the alarming prevalence of child marriages, particularly within Muslim-majority districts.
Since February 2023, Assam has seen the arrest of 5,348 people as local authorities respond to longstanding patterns of child marriage. This legal action has drawn attention to the plight of many young girls at risk of being married off before reaching adulthood.
Alongside developments in India, Ghana has also made strides to confront child marriage. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has launched the Child Marriage Information Portal. This initiative aims to raise awareness and equip the public with reliable information about child marriage, allowing individuals to report concerns and understand the harmful impacts of these practices.
Child marriage refers to unions where one or both partners are under the age of 18. According to Ghana's 1992 constitution, marrying under this age is prohibited, highlighting the legal framework against such choices. Nonetheless, the challenge persists, reflecting broader trends observed globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where UNICEF noted four out of ten women had been married before age 18 as of 2018.
Significantly, child marriage remains prevalent, with 12 million girls worldwide married each year, prompting international efforts to eliminate such practices. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set to target the eradication of harmful customs by 2030, have renewed urgency around this issue. The fight against child marriage is no longer just local; it's become part of global discourse.
During the recent media engagement aimed at promoting the Child Marriage Information Portal, Hajia Saphia Tamimu, Head of the Child Marriage Unit at MOGCSP, emphasized the need for credible information surrounding child marriage. "The portal is to help provide the media, NGOs, and CSOs and the public who work on issues of child marriage with credible information on child marriage," she noted.
The portal serves as a one-stop resource for accurate data and resources, aiming to combat myths and misinformation surrounding child marriage. Senanu Agbozo, the consultant for the Child Marriage Information Portal, echoed this sentiment, sharing the rationale behind the development of the platform: "There are various information about child marriage in Ghana hence the need to develop the portal where researchers can share and get information about child marriage."
These initiatives reflect a significant shift toward addressing child marriage through both legal ramifications and accessible information. The combined efforts of Assam's government and Ghana's Ministry signify broader strides toward eliminating child marriage and safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly young girls.
Looking forward, the success of these initiatives depends on community engagement and widespread awareness. Local communities must recognize and utilize available resources to help prevent child marriage and advance the rights of children globally. Enhancing education and public awareness surrounding the dangers of child marriage is fundamental to shifting cultural attitudes and practices.
