MP Child Marriage Cases Rise Nearly 46% In Five Years, Damoh Tops List With 115 Cases Ahead Of International Day Of Girl Child
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Even in the 21st century and despite government efforts, child marriages are growing in Madhya Pradesh. The state witnessed an almost 46% jump in child marriages in 2025 compared to 2020. Nearly 20% of women in the state get married before turning 18. According to the latest data from the Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Department, 538 child marriages were…
Madhya Pradesh has seen a 46% surge in child marriages over the past five years, data reveals. In 2025, the state reported 538 child marriages compared to 366 in 2020. Damoh district leads with 115 cases, followed by Rajgarh, Chhatarpur, Guna, Sagar, Dewas, and Narsinghpur. Tribal regions, however, show lower prevalence, with Jhabua recording only 68 child marriages during the same period.
Nearly 20% of women in Madhya Pradesh marry before their 18th birthday, according to the latest statistics. Social activists attribute the rise to a patriarchal mindset and lack of concern for the health and education impacts of early marriages on girls.
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