The National Commission for Women will prepare a draft bill for making marriage registration compulsory with the aim of fighting the social evil of child marriages.

"Making registration of marriage compulsory by law is essential for curbing child marriage and the commission will be sending a draft bill in this regard to the government," NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said.

Elaborating on the commission's action plan for fighting the social menace in New Delhi on Wednesday, Vyas said the
states, especially the six states identified as child marriage-prone, should also take an initiative in this direction and formulate laws making registration of marriage compulsory.

NCW has written to the chief secretaries of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand recommending steps to prevent child marriage and is also undertaking visits of the states to chalk out a strategy with the local authorities, Vyas said.