Child marriage is a formal marriage or informal union entered into by an individual before reaching the age of 18. The legally prescribed marriageable age in some jurisdictions is below 18 years, especially in the case of girls; and even when the age is set at 18 years, many jurisdictions permit earlier marriage with parental consent or in special circumstances, such as teenage pregnancy.
<span>A marriage is a cause for great celebration in India. Unfortunately, so is a child marriage. There is no doubt that a child marriage is a violation of human rights and can result in bonded labour, enslavement, commercial sexual exploitation and violence against its victims. Since they cannot abstain from sex or insist on condom use, child brides are often exposed to such serious health risks as premature pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections like HIV and AIDS.</span>
