Childhood in Rajgarh: Too Young for Wedlock, Too Old for the Cradle

Abstract

Till recently child marriages flourished in the backward district of Rajgarh in western Madhya Pradesh. But a concerted campaign against child marriages by the district administration for past the three years has resulted in averting 90 per cent of engagements from culminating into child marriages.

Rajgarh district in western Madhya Pradesh is a typically backward district with poor resources and people. The district comprises of six blocks with a total population of 9,92,764 as in 1991. The district is situated just 150 kms from Bhopal, the capital of MP and 250 kms from Indore, the district with the highest human development index (HDI) in MP.