Several people and various organizations have contributed to this study. While it may not be possible to include all here, we would like to mention a few.

No abstract

Chapter 1: Introduction Background Study objectives Study setting Methods Chapter 2: Early marriage: Preferences and realities Age at marriage: Girls' preferences Age at marriage: Parents' preferences Age at marriage: The reality Chapter 3: Factors underlying early marriage Poverty and the burden of marriage-related expenses Concerns about finding a suitable groom 'Everyone does it': Community pressure to conform 10 Maturing bodies: Concerns about a girl's safety and family honour 10 Limited educational opportunities for girls 11 Chapter 4: Government efforts to delay age at marriage: Perceptions and experiences 13 Campaigns to promote awareness of the legal age at marriage 13 Enforcement of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 13 Registration of marriage 15 Mass marriage ceremonies 15 Investment schemes intended to delay marriage 16 Educational and livelihoods projects 16 Contents iv Chapter 5: Delaying age at marriage: Recommendations for action from the communities Community mobilisation through campaigns Promoting education and livelihoods training for girls Addressing the economic issues driving early marriage Enforcement of the law Addressing gender biases Chapter 6: Summary and conclusions: Moving beyond exhortations to clear incentives, sanctions, and community contracts Summary Increasing the pressure: Recommendations for an intensified, multi-pronged approach Beyond exhortation: Critical analysis of gender and society Community contracts: Fostering new norms and new practices Meaningful consent: Respecting girls' desires and rights Economic incentives: Rewarding later age at marriage Penalties: Implementing the law Encouraging alternatives to early marriage: Education and livelihoods References Appendix Authors v vi Early marriage, that is, marriage below 18 years of age, violates girls' rights, truncates their childhood and denies them a say in the choice of partner and timing of marriage. In India, despite several policy and programme efforts, early marriage persists with considerable variation between and within states. Unravelling the complex drivers of early marriage in particular contexts requires careful site-specific diagnostic research. Likewise, research is required to understand the extent of implementation of various policies and programmes intended to prevent early marriage and the extent to which such efforts have found acceptability among parents and the community. To fill this gap in existing research, the Population Council undertook an exploratory, qualitative study in two districts in Rajasthan, namely, Alwar and Tonk. Findings show that adolescent girls had a clear desire to marry after the age of 18 and that they were well aware of what they would have to give up with marriage-their education, childhood, health and opportunities to explore other interests. Some parents also noted these disadvantages of early marriage, suggesting that beliefs may be changing though many are yet to act on these new beliefs. A range of interrelated factors, including the economic burden of marriage in a se...

No abstract

No abstract