PRIs, Jeevika members lead change in fight against child marriage

Patna: In a small village in Rohtas district, preparations were underway for the marriage of a 17-year-old girl. While her family discussed wedding rituals and arrangements, the teenager was worried about something else, the end of her education and the dreams she had hoped to fulfil.

Just as the marriage plans were nearing completion, information about the impending child marriage reached local women elected representatives, and Jeevika members. What followed was a sustained effort involving counselling, community dialogue, and awareness building. Eventually the family agreed to postpone the marriage. Today, the girl is back to school, working towards a future she once feared she would lose.

Her story is not an isolated case. It reflects a broader transformation taking place across rural Bihar where Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are increasingly emerging as protectors of girl’s education, safety, and rights. The institutions have prevented as many as 119 child marriages across the state over the past one and a half years.

In Chotki Chinari Dih village under Shivsagar panchayat in Rohtas district, Lakshmi Kumari (name changed) 17, was facing a similar situation. Due to poverty, social pressure, and lack of awareness, her family had arranged her marriage. Her father, Narendra Ram, a daily wage worker from a ST community believed early marriage was the best option for his daughter.

After learning about the case, local panchayat representatives and the Didi Adhikar Kendra intervened. Panchayat mukhiya Pushpa Kumari said the girl’s mother had approached the centre regarding the marriage. Thereafter, she and sarpanch Geeta Devi held several rounds of discussions with both family and the prospective in-laws, explaining the legal, educational, and social consequences of child marriage.

Their efforts paid off. The family agreed to postpone the wedding, and Lakshmi was re-enrolled in Class X at a high school in Shivsagar. Her father now acknowledges that while the family had identified a groom and planned the marriage, the intervention helped them reconsider their decision.

Similar success stories have emerged from other villages in Rohtas district, including Chandan, Baradih, Magarwalia, and Tarachandi, where child marriages were prevented through coordinated action by panchayat representatives, ward members, Childline teams, and Didi Adhikar Kendras. In each case, the girls were able to continue their education after the marriages were called off.

The movement is not only limited to Rohtas. In Muzaffarpur’s Pokhrera village, a 17-year-old girl was on the verge of being married after her family withdrew her from school. However, counselling by Jeevika members Pinki and Sarita, along with ward councillor Meena Devi, convinced the family to delay the marriage and send her back to school.

In Madhubani district’s Bhatsimar village, a minor girl was being pressured into marriage due to a relationship-related issue. Intervention by ward councillor Pushpa Devi and Jeevika member Manjula Devi persuaded the family to reconsider. The has since been enrolled in Class 11.

Meanwhile, in Lodipur village of Nalanda district, a 16-year-old girl was being married off because her family disapproved of her frequent use of a mobile phone. Following discussions led by ward member Sanju Devi and Jeevika worker Anita Devi, the family agreed to postpone the marriage. The girl is now continuing her studies in Rajgir and dreams of becoming a nurse.

Despite these encouraging stories, child marriage remains a significant challenge in Bihar. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the prevalence of child marriage in the state has declined from 40.8% in NFHS-5 to 34.6%. However, a large number of girls are still married before the legal age of 18. Experts attribute the practice primarily to poverty, illiteracy, social pressure, and concerns about girl’s safety.

To address the issue, the panchayati raj department has made child marriage prevention a key priority under it’s ‘Women-friendly gram panchayat’ initiative and the Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG’s).

Panchayati raj minister Deepak Prakash said the department is continuously strengthening the capacities of panchayat representatives, promoting women’s leadership, and enhancing community participation. ‘Mahila sabha’ and ‘baal sabha’ will be strengthened further to achieve the mission. He noted that the Centre for Catalysing Change (C3) is providing technical support through the ‘Sajha Shakti Project,’ whose impact is now becoming visible at the grassroots level.

Official sources said under the project, more than 200 girl’s groups have been formed across various panchayats, engaging nearly 3,000 adolescent girls. These groups focus on building life skills, leadership qualities, decision-making abilities, and communication skills, empowering girls to speak openly about their aspirations and challenges with parents, teachers, peers, and community members.

Supported by PRI members, the campaign ‘Shaadi Ho Tabhi, Jab Umra Ho Sahi’ (Marriage only when the age is right) is working towards the goal of creating zero child marriage panchayats, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to pursue education, health, and a secure future.