Year
2025
Reform Domain
Women
Sub Domain
Law and legal framework
Source of Reform Proposals
Women's Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 29-Jul-26
This reform proposal has been articulated in the Women Reform Commission Report but has yet to be officially initiated.
Observation
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Parliament enacted the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2017 (Act No. VI of 2017), replacing the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. The Act retained the legal minimum age of marriage at 18 years for women and 21 years for men. It also introduced higher penalties, clearly defined offences, and specified the responsibilities of marriage registrars and local authorities.
The Act further introduced a legal exception under Section 19, permitting child marriage in "special circumstances" with parental or guardian consent and court approval. This provision sparked considerable controversy, as it created a legal exception allowing child marriage under certain conditions. However, no initiatives to repeal or amend Section 19 were identified during the tenures of either the Interim Government or the current elected government.
Resources