Karwar: The number of child marriages reported from Uttara Kannada district have come down considerably for the past three years. The district has taken a huge step towards achieving the target of becoming child marriage-free district.

The practice of arranging marriages between the boy below 21 years and girl below 18 years, or both below the prescribed age limit for marriage, is fading away in the district.

The number of such marriages, which were 35 in 2015, has come to just five in 2017. The officials of the district administration said district would be completely rid of the evil practice by 2020.

As expected, the number of such cases were reported more from rural areas as compared to the urban areas. Moreover, such cases were reported more from Mundgod and Haliyal taluks compared to taluks located on the coast.

Reasons for practice

There are many reasons for the practice finding favour with the populace so far, including financial difficulties, and social practice as it was believed that marrying the girl child before they were old enough was fulfilling a great responsibility. Moreover, some even married their girls off owing to family obligations. In some cases, superstition played an important role.

Women & Child Development Deparment Deputy Director Rajendra Bekal states that lack of awareness among rural people too played an important role, because of which rape and atrocities against girls too sometimes used to end in child marriages.

“The increase in literacy among girl children, and several schemes launched by the government for their welfare, and aggressive campaign on the bad effects of child marriages have led to fall in the number of child marriages,” he explained.

Some people in the district, however, stated that the child marriages in the district have not come down, as they are now being held secretly.