Parliamentary Committee Granted Extension to Examine Bill on Increasing Age of Marriage for Women

The parliamentary committee examining the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposes to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, has been granted another three-month extension to submit its report. This decision was communicated through a Rajya Sabha bulletin issued on October 17, with House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar extending the deadline till January 24, 2024.

Background and Committee’s Role

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2021 and subsequently referred to the standing committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports for a detailed examination. The committee, operating under the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, has previously received extensions to ensure a comprehensive review of the bill’s provisions.

Objective of the Bill

The proposed amendment aims to increase the age of marriage for women, aligning it with the age requirement for men, thus striving for gender parity. Additionally, the bill seeks to supersede any prevailing laws, customs, or practices related to marriage.

Emphasis on Detailed Examination

Following the bill’s introduction, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani had appealed to the Lok Sabha Speaker for the bill’s referral to the standing committee, emphasizing the importance of an in-depth analysis.

The extension granted to the committee underscores the complexity and significance of the matter at hand, highlighting the need for meticulous scrutiny and deliberation to ensure that any changes made align with the evolving societal context and concerns related to women’s rights and well-being.

Source: The Hindu