Kerala women''s panel for raising marriage age limit

Oct 15, 2010

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15  Kerala State Women''s Commission is expected to place before the National Women''s Commission a proposal for raising the minimum age limit of marriage for both men and women, considering the growing divorce cases among youngsters. The proposal is for enhancing the minimum age limit of marriage for women from 18 to 25 and that of men from 21 to 28 or more, KSWC Chairperson Justice D Sreedevi told PTI. However, women''s outfits, including the pro-Left forums, responded cautiously to the move maintaining that a decision on such a delicate issue should be taken only after examining all aspects in detail.

The increasing rate of divorces and split-ups among youngsters was the single-most factor that prompted the Commission to moot the idea, though a definite conclusion would be drawn up only after a threadbare debate on it, Justice Sreedevi said. "The idea was first mooted by the National Women''s Commission, which has sought our suggestion on this.

Though the KSWC favoured the idea of increasing the age limit for marriages, we have not taken a final decision." "To work out our stand, we are planning to conduct a meeting of various government agencies, women outfits, NGOs and leaders here on October 28.

National Women''s Commission Chairperson Girija Vyas and other members will also be coming," Justice Sreedevi said. Despite its image as a "progressive state", majority of girls in Kerala were married very early when they are not matured enough to take decisions on their life, she said.

"At the age of 18, many girls are not capable to take rational decisions. They will not get even a degree at that stage.
But, parents are keen to have their children married off early as they want to fulfil their duty. This is especially so in the case of girls," she said.
If the minimum age for marriages was increased, youngsters would get enough time to complete their studies, secure jobs and become self-reliant, she added.