Himachal Pradesh Raises Minimum Marriage Age to 21

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has unanimously passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, raising the legal marriage age for girls from 18 to 21 years. Introduced by Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, the amendment aims to promote gender equality and provide young women with better educational and career opportunities. The bill received support from various parties and reflects a broader commitment to improve women's welfare and health outcomes in the state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the government's intent to empower women and ensure they fully develop before marriage. This legislative change aligns with national initiatives to raise the marriage age and protect young girls. The bill will now be forwarded to the Governor for final approval.