UNFPA Expert Corroborates Nitish Kumar's Stance That Education Is Crucial In Combating Child Marriage In Bihar

Patna, Sep 12 (TNA) UNFPA's Sanjay Kumar, an expert in population dynamics and research, emphasized the strong connection between education and child marriage in Bihar. Presenting data at a seminar, he revealed that child marriage rates were alarmingly high at 57% among out-of-school girls but dropped significantly to 12% among girls who completed at least matriculation. Even among scheduled caste girls, the rate was only 25% for those with a matriculation education.

UNICEF's Banku Bihari Sarkar noted that Bihar's average child marriage rate is approximately 40%, with certain districts, like Lakhisarai, reaching 57%. Interestingly, Saran district, despite an adverse sex ratio, had a lower rate of child marriage at 26.2%, prompting further investigation.

Experts also highlighted the adverse effects of child marriage on maternal and infant mortality rates and emphasized the direct link between education levels of girls and child marriage, echoing Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's stance. Kumar asserted that girl's education played a pivotal role in population control, with fertility rates dropping significantly as girls attained higher education levels.

Bihar has made strides in achieving gender equality in school enrollment, with more girls than boys enrolled in class IX in recent years. Pratham's study showed a remarkable 13% increase in girls' school enrollment during the 2006-10 period. These developments underscore the importance of education in combating child marriage and promoting gender equality in Bihar.