50% of Indian Women Marry Before 18
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of child brides in the world, with over 50% of women in India marrying before the age of 18. This represents a significant issue in India, as child marriage is associated with a number of negative outcomes, including increased risk of maternal and infant mortality, reduced educational opportunities, and increased risk of domestic violence.
The practice of child marriage is deeply rooted in tradition in India, and efforts to address the issue have been met with resistance in some parts of the country. However, there has been some progress in recent years, with the Indian government passing laws to raise the minimum age of marriage for women to 18 and implementing programs to educate communities about the negative consequences of child marriage.
Overall, this statistic highlights the significant challenge of addressing the issue of child marriage in India and the importance of continuing efforts to raise awareness and address this issue.