 "Himachal Pradesh govt increases women's legal age for marriage to 21")
India’s Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly approved a Bill to raise the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2024, amends the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, to align with this new age requirement.
The original Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, set the minimum marriage age for women at 18 and for men at 21. The new Bill aims to enhance gender equality and address how early marriages can impede women’s career and physical development.
The key changes introduced by the 2024 Bill include:
1. The term “child” now encompasses anyone under 21 years old, up from the previous age of 18.
2. The period for annulling a marriage conducted below the legal age has been extended from two years to five years after reaching adulthood. Legal petitions for annulment must be filed within two years of attaining majority.
3. The Bill introduces Section 18A, stating that its provisions will take precedence over any conflicting laws or customs.
The Bill reflects a commitment to ensuring that women have equal opportunities for education and professional advancement by postponing marriage until the age of 21.
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