Steps being taken to prevent child marriage: Bihar minister

PATNA: State social welfare minister

Madan Sahni

on Thursday said the government was taking all possible steps to curb child marriage in Bihar.


The minister, however, added the data for National Family Health Survey 2019-20 was surprising as only 1% reduction was recorded in girl child getting married before 18 years when compared to the previous data of

NFHS

2015-16.

Shani

, who was replying to a question raised by

RJD MLC

Ram

Chandra Purbey

in the legislative council, said as per NFHS 2004-05, the percentage of girl child getting married before 18 years of age was 69% and big improvement was seen in NFHS 2015-16 when the figure came down to 42%. The percentage, however, almost remained static at 41% in NFHS 2019-20.

“The NFHS 2019-20 results are not on expected lines,” Sahni said. He added Mahila Vikas Nigam has been roped in to create awareness against child marriage. “The government has also launched various schemes for schoolgirls so that they continue their studies. Education is necessary to end the menace of child marriage. Mahadalit Vikas Nigam and Unicef are also working to curb early marriage of girls. The government had also felicitated minor girls on the occasion of International Women’s Day for refusing to get married under the pressure of their family members,” he said.