Determinants of under-registration of marriage among women in India: An exploratory study in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan

Abstract

BackgroundRegistration of vital events has been low coverage in India since long, especially registration of marriages. Studies and data on marriage registration are very limited in India. Therefore, the present study tried to examine critical determinants of the under-registration of marriage. MethodsThe present study is cross-sectional and exploratory in nature based on primary data collected from Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Using a mixed-method approach, a total of 150 currently married women and men each were selected purposively and interviewed face-to-face for quantitative data. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) with currently married women was conducted for qualitative insights. Bivariate, principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate analysis were performed to analyse the data. In this research article, we have conducted analysis only for the sampled women. ResultsThe study found that only two of every fifth married women register their marriage. The respondents from rural residence (31%), Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes (SC/STs) group (24%), low education (24%) and wealth index (8.5%) showed a lower level of marriage registration than their counterparts. Lack of awareness, no requirement of marriage certificates, social norms, and early marriages are the major cause of the under-registration of marriage. ConclusionThe finding of the study concluded that socio-economic status, lack of awareness about marriage registration and no necessity of marriage certificates are the leading determinants of under-registration of marriages in district Jhunjhunu of Rajasthan. The government should create awareness of existing marriage registration legislation and the necessity marriage certificate as proof of document wherever possible.