India is one of the ten countries with the largest number of teenage pregnancies in the world. The latest National Family Health Survey reveals that 17.5 % of urban women and 31.5% of rural women are married before the age of 18. State-wise data reveals that four out of 10 girls in West Bengal are married before 18 years. Despite a substantial reduction in the prevalence of early marriage nationally, childbearing at this age has declined only marginally— that is, from 35.7% to 31%.
A vast majority of these young married girls come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. They are often neither physically nor psychologically mature and lack decision-making power and freedom of mobility. They are unable to make choices on self-care, including access to food. Such girls are often not allowed to complete school education, which impinges on their ability to become economically empowered and socially adjusted. The man in the household is often given priority in meals, receiving maximum nutrition. Read More…
