Challenges Persist in Combating Child Marriage

Efforts to combat child marriage face challenges both in the U.S. and India, where legal gaps and cultural practices persist despite existing laws. In the U.S., Senator Dick Durbin's Child Marriage Prevention Act controversially sets the minimum age for spousal visas at 16, risking the rollback of protections in many states. Meanwhile, India's Supreme Court has urged legislative action to address child betrothals and ensure the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) prevails over personal laws. The court has emphasized the importance of exclusive Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) to enforce these laws effectively and highlighted how child marriage undermines the autonomy of all genders. The Supreme Court stresses the need for community-driven approaches to effectively prevent such marriages. A recent case in Lahore saw police prevent a forced marriage of a 12-year-old, showcasing the ongoing struggle against child marriage in South Asia.