In many rural areas of Rajasthan, the birth of a daughter is considered bad luck. She is considered to be an economic hardship, a burden on her family. To help reduce the family’s economic responsibilities, she is married off young, which saves money on both her education and dowry.

Child marriage is harmful for both boys and girls, but the practice affects girls with much more intensity. Apart from restricted educational opportunities, stunted psychological growth and personal development, girls are compelled into early childbirth as well. This means they suffer from chronic malnutrition, experience serious complications during childbirth and are given extensive family responsibilities at an unfairly young age. These girls are also more likely to be subjected to domestic violence and abuse, mentioning on whom might be beneficial, and general inequality in the home, due to underdeveloped negotiating skills due to their young age.