After curbing child marriage to an extent, Mysuru district is now facing a disturbing trend — a surge in adolescent pregnancies, the highest across the old Mysuru region.
According to Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) data, 1,603 underage pregnancies were recorded recently in Mysuru alone. Of these,
- 5 girls were aged 14–15,
- 15 between 15–16,
- 23 between 16–17,
- 124 aged 17–18, and
- a staggering 1,436 between 18–19.
Following Mysuru, Hassan reported 1,087, Mandya 948, Kodagu 424, and Chamarajanagar 416 such cases.
Most cases come to notice only when minors visit hospitals for antenatal care. While Cheluvamba Hospital in Mysuru provides specialized treatment for pregnant teens, officials refer cases to Police and the Department of Women & Child Development rather than pushing for immediate legal action, which is often complicated.
A majority of these pregnancies stem from tribal hamlets in H.D. Kote and Hunsur, where secret underage marriages, including consanguineous unions, persist. These weddings often stay hidden unless pregnancy occurs.
Shockingly, underage pregnancies have also been reported among educated, urban families, highlighting that the issue isn’t confined to rural or tribal areas. Health officials note that although communities may be aware of these marriages, they rarely report them.
Despite continuous campaigns by the Health, Police, and Judiciary, societal silence and deep-rooted customs continue to endanger young girls’ lives.
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