An estimated 85.2 million of the 103 million were girls, said the ActionAid India report, "Eliminating Child Marriage in India: Progress And Prospects", released by actor-activist Shabana Azmi.
At 103 million, the number of child marriages is more than the total population of Philippines (100 million) and Germany (80.68 million), stated the report, analysing data from Census 2011.
Of every 28 girl child marriages occurring per minute in the world, more than two take place in India. Elimination of girl child marriages can help avoid 27,000 neonatal deaths, 55,000 infant deaths and 1,60,000 child deaths, it said.
The numbers are huge and should be taken seriously, she added.
"No society can be called civilised if they have one- third of their population in such conditions. The report brings out certain shocking facts, something we have to take very seriously," Azmi told PTI.
Education reinforces gender divides, she said.
"Even in textbooks, where is the father? Father is in the office. Where is the mother? She is in the kitchen. Why can't mother and father both be in the office and be in the kitchen? We need to see with a magnifying glass what is being taught to our children."
"India needs to realise that child marriage is not just a human rights or gender issue. It is a huge demographic, health, education and economic issue. If we cannot eliminate child marriages, it will become a huge hindrance to India's economic prospects in the form of unhealthy and unskilled workforce. The more skilled workforce alone can contribute to a GDP 1.7 per cent," Goli told PTI.
The report found that rural regions account for 75 per cent of all instances of child marriages. Seven states (Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh) account for 70 per cent of child marriages in the country.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
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