Himachal Pradesh  raises women’s marriage age from 18 to 21

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Shimla, August 28

In a landmark decision, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, raising the marriageable age for girls from 18 to 21 years. The amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil and approved by a voice vote.

The amendment aims to promote gender equality, allowing women to pursue higher education and career opportunities by delaying marriage. The legislation underscores the need to support women’s physical and educational development by increasing the minimum marriage age.

“The amended Act will apply to all persons domiciled in the territory of Himachal notwithstanding anything contrary or inconsistent therewith contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or any other law or custom or usage or practice in relation to marriage,” The Tribune reported.