Surprising Twist: Child Marriages Higher in West Bengal’s Cities Than Villages
Kolkata, Sep 18: You might think city folks in West Bengal are more aware of the dangers of child marriage, but a new report flips that idea on its head. Turns out, rural areas in the state show better awareness, with fewer underage girls tying the knot compared to urban and metro spots. This eye-opening trend comes straight from the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report on premature marriages in India, released earlier this month.
In West Bengal’s cities and metros, a shocking 7.6% of girls get married before the legal age of 18. That’s not just high—it’s the highest rate among urban areas across all Indian states. Now, compare that to the rural parts of West Bengal, where the figure drops to under 5.2%. Even here, West Bengal tops the list nationally for rural child marriages, but the gap between urban and rural is what really stands out.
Child marriage in West Bengal remains a big worry, especially since these numbers are the worst in the country for both areas. A senior official from the state health and family welfare department, speaking anonymously, pointed out the irony. "The stats are troubling enough, but it’s alarming that urban areas lag behind rural ones. It shows our awareness campaigns against child marriage haven’t hit home in cities as much as they have in villages."
The official stressed the need to dig deeper into why urban drives on preventing premature marriage aren’t working. "We must spot the gaps in our city-based efforts right away to protect more girls," he added.
This report highlights a key challenge in tackling child marriage in India. With West Bengal leading in urban underage weddings, stronger action could make a real difference for young girls’ futures.
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