Which Act prohibits child marriage?
The Act that prohibits child marriage in India is:
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006
It replaced the earlier Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 and provides stricter punishments and better protection for children.
The Act that prohibits child marriage in India is the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. This legislation prohibits the solemnization of child marriages, where a male below the age of 21 years or a female below the age of 18 years is married. The Act declares such marriages voidable at the option of the child contracting party.
The Act prescribes punishments including rigorous imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to one lakh rupees for anyone who performs, conducts, directs, or abets child marriages. It also penalizes those who promote or negligently fail to prevent child marriages. Women are exempt from imprisonment under this Act. Additionally, the Act mandates appointment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers to prevent child marriages and provide protection and relief to victims.
Thus, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 protects children by legally prohibiting and penalizing child marriages, aiming to eradicate this social evil.
