Karnataka recorded 1,799 child marriages in 3 years: Minister
Child marriages in Karnataka
Year No. of child marriages 2022-23 405 2023-24 709 2024-25 685
In a reply to JD(S) floor leader Suresh Babu during the question hour, the Minister said 405 children in 2022-23, 709 in 2023-24 and 685 children in 2024-25 were married off and that child marriages were the major reason for the increasing number of underage pregnancies in the State, she added.
Social mores
She said social customs practised in some communities and tribal societies were a significant factor in the continued practice of child marriages.
The Child Protection Committees (CWCs) were functioning in each district under the jurisdiction of the department, and there were four such committees in Bengaluru city. Ms. Hebbalkar said there was a necessity for coordination among several departments to prevent child marriages and underage pregnancies. The helpline number 1098 has been functioning to ensure the safety of children.
'Akka pade'
Ms. Hebbalkar said watch committees need to be formed from the gram panchayat level to the district level to ensure the safety of the children. Based on the 'Akka Pade' comprising women police officers and NCC cadets formed in Bidar district, the department has decided to form the same in Mysuru, Belagavi and Mangaluru by providing vehicles and other facilities for the safety of school and college students, and, women. The 'Akka Pade' has become a successful model in the Bidar district, the Minister said.
Mr. Babu, however, provided his own data and claimed that 26,000 underage pregnancies were recorded in the State. The number of underage pregnancies was highest in Belagavi (2,622), followed by Bagalkot (897), Ballari (850) and Koppal (617).
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