Child marriages still continue in DK & Udupi: Govt data shows

Udupi: It is shocking that child marriages still take place in the twin districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada which are considered to be the ‘land of the educated’.

Despite awareness work from various departments and higher levels of education in both districts, illegal child marriages still take place. According to government data, as many as 96 cases of child marriages have come to light in these districts from 2017-18 to 2021-22.

About 57 cases out of 66 cases reported from Dakshina Kannada district were prevented at the last moment. Whereas, Udupi reported 30 cases of child marriage in the same period, of which 27 cases were stopped.

However, 12 child marriages still took place for which FIRs have been registered.

There is an urgent need to stop such detrimental practices. In many places, girls are married at the age of 16-17. Many marry off their daughters early due to economic and family reasons. As a result, they are deprived of educational opportunities. Exploitation is likely to increase with added marital responsibilities at a young age, an official of the department said.