UN agencies have recently quoted that more than 40 per cent of the world's child marriages happen in India, the highest number of child brides in the world. In eight states of India, more than half of young girls are married before the age of 18. As per National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3), more than one-fourth of women aged 20-49 years were married before age 15. Among girls aged 15 to 19 years, 27 per cent were currently married (15 per cent urban women and 33 per cent rural women). State-wise differentials are notable. In Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh more than one-fifth of young women aged 15 to 17 years were married – with Bihar and Jharkhand being the highest (38 per cent and 36 per cent respectively).

As a consequence of early marriage, childbearing is also initiated early among these young women. Teenage pregnancy and motherhood results in impaired health, and social and economic backwardness. Apart from the high risk of pregnancy complication because of physiological immaturity, inexperience associated with child care practices also influences child and maternal health. The risk of maternal death is about three times higher in girls aged 15 to 19 years and five times higher in those younger than 15 years compared to women in their 20s. NFHS-3 data show that 12 per cent of all women aged 15 to 19 years already have a child and 4 per cent are currently pregnant.

The rising number of child marriage cases in the recent past in Haryana, which is already troubled by skewed gender ratio, has raised serious concerns over rights of children in the state. The state bears the title for the lowest sex ratio in India. Haryana’s khap panchayats  (an assembly of village elders, which has emerged as quasi-judicial bodies that pronounce harsh punishments based on age-old customs and traditions) have suggested the marriageable age of teenagers be reduced to 16 years in order to check sexual atrocities like rape. Many politicians have endorsed the suggestion. Such cultural contexts exacerbate the issue of child forced marriages and associated health and educational problems.

PRIA is undertaking a participatory survey in two districts of Haryana to assess the situation of early and forced marriage and girls-at-risk. This pilot study will also assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices of family, community and young people regarding child forced marriage and sexual reproductive health practices. The results of the study will help design community models of engagement to improve health and wellbeing of married adolescent girls and girls-at-risk.

Specific target groups  
• Unmarried young girls in the age group 14 to 25 years in 3 villages of Sonipat and Panipat districts
• Married women in the age group 14 to 25 years in 3 villages of Sonipat and Panipat districts

Geographical spread 
Sonipat and Panipat districts in Haryana

Methodology/Key components 
A baseline survey will be conducted in Sonipat focusing on the community’s response to the question of child marriage and knowledge and practice of reproductive health and practices among young girls of marriageable age and young married women.

Key outputs/deliverables 
• A total of 100 married/unmarried girls between 14-25 years will be interviewed in Sonipat
• A total of 100 married/unmarried girls between 14-25 years will be interviewed in Panipat
• A total of 5 focus group discussions will be conducted in Sonipat and Panipat

Year/Period 
01 January 2016 – 29 February 2016

Client
YWCA of India