In a landmark move, Himachal Pradesh has updated its marriage laws to reflect modern values and gender equality. On August 27, the state’s legislative assembly passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2024, raising the minimum age for women to marry from 18 to 21.
This pivotal legislation amends the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which initially set the marriage age for women at 18 while maintaining it at 21 for men. The change aims to address gender disparities and support women’s advancement by reducing the prevalence of early marriages.
The amendment underscores the need to align marriage laws with contemporary standards of gender equality and educational opportunities. The Bill argues that early marriages obstruct women’s career growth and physical development, making it essential to raise the marriage age.
Key amendments include:
- Definition Update: The term “child” now encompasses individuals under 21 years of age, up from the previous threshold of 18.
- Annulment Period Extension: The time frame for annulment of marriages contracted below the legal age has been extended from two years to five years post-majority.
- Supremacy Clause: The newly introduced Section 18A asserts that this law takes precedence over any other conflicting laws or customs.
This legislative reform marks a significant step toward gender parity and ensures that women have more time and opportunity to pursue higher education and professional careers before entering into marriage.
