Vol. 1, Issue 5, Part B (2015)

Abstract
Child marriage is a burning problem around the world including India. General meaning of child marriage is a marriage of a child younger than eighteen years old. In India, nearly half of women aged 15 to 19 years are getting married before the minimum legal age of eighteen. Child marriage has been practicing since ancient time and its root was very deep in Indian society. Six decade after independence the scenario related to child marriage is not changed. Large number of adolescent girls are victimizing by this evil practice. The evil practice is much higher in rural areas than urban areas. The socio-economic, cultural and educational factors are responsible for child marriage. The lack of awareness and inadequacy of laws are also encouraging this evil practice. The incidents of child marriage put worst effect on society. Child marriage is a violation of children’s rights where it deprives them to the basic right to health, nutrition, education, and freedom. Consequently, they are hardly suffering from violation, abuse and exploitation. In fact, young married girls are often getting harassment physically, mentally and emotionally. The Government of India has taken various initiatives to prohibit child marriage. In spite of, child marriage is practicing continuously and Government initiatives have failed to curb it.