Politics of Assam and Child Marriage
Child marriage is an age-old tradition in Assam, India, that has been linked to culture, religion, and economic stability. But in recent years, the state has taken a stand against the practice, with the government launching a campaign to end child marriage. The move has been driven by politics, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vowing to crack down on the practice and the opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) pushing for stronger enforcement. The BJP has been in power in Assam since 2016, and is keen to make good on its promises to end the practice of child marriage. The party has been vocal in its support for the campaign, with state leaders often commenting on the issue. But the AIUDF has argued that the BJP’s efforts are not enough and that stronger enforcement is needed. In 2020, the Assam government made a commitment to end child marriage in the state by 2030. The move was welcomed by the AIUDF, which had been pushing for tougher measures to combat the problem. The government has since taken steps to strengthen its efforts, including introducing a new law that makes it a crime for anyone to facilitate the marriage of a child. The law also provides for the prosecution of anyone who fails to report a child marriage. This has been welcomed by activists and non-governmental organizations, who have long argued that the lack of law enforcement was one of the major obstacles to ending child marriage in Assam.
Socioeconomic Factors
Child marriage is often linked to poverty, with parents unable to provide for their children or unable to afford the dowry associated with marriage. In Assam, many children are also married off due to cultural and religious reasons. But the state government is also keen to address the socioeconomic factors that lead to child marriage, such as poverty and gender inequality. The government has launched a range of initiatives to support families in need, such as providing financial assistance and creating employment opportunities. It has also taken steps to empower women, such as providing free education and launching a scheme to encourage girls to pursue higher education.
Gender Norms and Child Marriage
Gender norms and expectations play a key role in the practice of child marriage in Assam. Girls are often expected to marry young and are considered to be of little value if they remain unmarried beyond a certain age. This has been compounded by the fact that the practice has been largely condoned and even encouraged by society. The Assam government has taken steps to address these gender norms and expectations, including launching a range of awareness campaigns and introducing a law that criminalizes gender-based discrimination. The government has also taken steps to ensure that girls have access to education and healthcare, and is working to empower girls and women by providing them with financial and legal assistance.
Role of Local Communities
Local communities play an important role in the fight against child marriage in Assam. Many communities have taken steps to prevent the practice of child marriage, including organizing awareness-raising campaigns and launching initiatives to promote gender equality. These efforts have been backed by the state government, which has provided financial and logistical support to local initiatives.
Role of the Media
The media has also played an important role in the fight against child marriage in Assam. Journalists have been at the forefront of the campaign, helping to raise awareness of the problem and highlighting the need for tougher laws and enforcement. The media has also been instrumental in bringing the issue of child marriage to the attention of the government and the public.
Legal Reforms
The Assam government has also taken steps to strengthen the legal framework for combating child marriage. The state has enacted a new law that criminalizes child marriage and provides for the prosecution of those who facilitate or fail to report a child marriage. The law also provides for stiff penalties for those found guilty of violating the law.
Education and Awareness
Education and awareness are key to tackling child marriage in Assam. The state government has launched a range of initiatives to raise awareness, including organizing school and community workshops, holding public meetings and launching campaigns on television and radio. These efforts are helping to spread the message that child marriage is unacceptable and that it should be prevented.
Conclusion
The Assam government has taken a strong stance against child marriage, driven by the politics of the ruling BJP and the opposition AIUDF. The government has enacted a new law to criminalize the practice, strengthened legal framework and taken steps to address the socioeconomic factors that lead to child marriage. It has also launched a range of awareness campaigns and initiatives to empower girls and women. All these efforts are helping to reduce the prevalence of child marriage in Assam.
