Universal Review (Scientific Information and Technological Board of Sadhana)

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Impact Factor: 5.225, Volume 10 Number 02 February 2019

To critically evaluate the potential ways through which Kanyashree have

help prevention of child marriages in West Bengal

Krishnendu Roy1 & Jayanta Mete2

1
Research Scholar,
Depatrment of Education.
University of Kalyani. Kalyani, Nadia.Pin:741235
&
2
Professor,
Department of Education;
University of Kalyani. Kalyani, Nadia.Pin:741235

Abstract:
This research is based on analysing the benefits of Kanyashree Prakalpa initiative in controlling the
prevalent practice of child marriage in West Bengal. The initial parts of this research focus over child
marriage statistics in West Bengal and their respective reasons. In the later sections, impact of
Kanyashree Prakalpa initiative is discussed along with its impact in controlling child marriage. The
literature review section reflects different perspectives related to implementation of Kanyashree
Prakalpa in rural as well as urban areas of West Bengal. Several areas related to legal implications
are also researched in order to analyse the situation.
Keywords: 1.Financial hardships 2.Kanyashree 3.Malnutrition 4.Social insecurity
5. Social reforms.

1 Introduction
Child marriage is currently one of the most serious social irregularities in majority of the
developing countries like India. It is a practice that threatens the social, economic and cultural
aspects related to a community. Several Indian states like West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar
Pradesh are facing this issue as a major social crisis. West Bengal is one of the most highly
influenced states in terms of child marriage practice (Timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 2018).
It is considered as a major issue in the context of west Bengal as it has produced miserable
performance in prevention of child marriage. A major reason that is considered responsible for
arising of this issue is the unavailability of social and economic stability in the rural areas. People
are less educated and unaware of negative impacts that are related to early marriage and that is
the reason they are practicing it.
The analysis of early child marriage provides a major increase in some of the basic areas like
school dropout rates, early pregnancies, maternal and infant deaths, financial hardships, social
insecurity, malnutrition among children. A considerate approach of these aspects makes this issue
a major threat for the development of mankind and thus it has been considered as a major issue in
the present context (Wbkanyashree.gov.in, 2018).

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2. Literature review

2.1 Conceptual framework

Social reforms

Girl child Cultural development Kanyashree scheme

development in West implementation
Bengal

Economic prospects

Value development

Figure 2.1: Conceptual framework

2.2 Child marriage in West Bengal

West Bengal is considered to be ranked at 5th spot in India as a major practitioner of child
marriage. According to the 2011 census, almost 40% of marriages in this state are underage
where the girl is less than 18 years (Ghara & Roy, 2017). The social and economical aspects are
the major contributors to this figure. Majority of the girls are married earlier to their appropriate
marriage age in order to cope with their educational expenses (Mir, 2018). In some of the rural
areas of West Bengal, child marriage is considered as a culturally important ritual and people not
practicing it are socially boycotted. Murshidabad, Malda, Bankura, South 24 Parganas are some of
the highly influenced areas in terms of practicing child marriage (Chakraborty, 2015). In these
areas of rural West Bengal girls are married even before reaching their adulthood. The parents
are not at all aware of the advantages that can be attained by girls in areas like education.
According to the views of Nayan (2015), people think that the investment made in education of a
girl child is not at all of any use and thus, marry then off at younger ages. Cultural backwardness
in West Bengal has lead to an environment that treats a girl child in a very inefficient manner
(BHAttAcHAryyA, 2017).
(Refer to appendix 1)

2.3 Kanyashree and its impact

The Kanyashree Prakalpa targets two major obstructions in women and child development. These
are prevalence of child marriage and increase in girl’s dropout from schools. According to Ali &
Jha (2015), the conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme targets girls in the age group of 13 to 18
who are at major risk of child marriage and subsequent drop out from schools. The conditions laid
down for the cash transfer are that the girl must be unmarried in order to procure the cash
benefits and must be enrolled in an educational institute. The degree of education covered under

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this scheme is from secondary up to higher secondary education in schools, higher education
courses and various technical, vocational and sports courses.
The scheme has substantially benefited girls belonging to poor socio-economic background. It
has increased the retention of girls in the targeted age group in education. According to Modak &
Roy (2018), the strategy has impacts at several levels such as the social influence level,
environmental-cultural level, interpersonal and social level. Education is the key to inform society
about the negative long term impacts of child marriage, the laws and Acts ensuring punishment
against it. The major reason preventing families from sending their girls to schools and colleges
were economic stringency which has been successfully redressed by the government. The result
of this is that families are willingly supporting the education of girls with future objective of
making them economically independent. Under this scheme, the earlier a girl starts receiving this
scheme money the longer she will be able to continue her studies. The prakalpa has ensured a
girl’s unhindered education until graduation without succumbing to financial stringencies in the
family. The long term objective of this scheme is tackling gender inequality and increasing the
mass literacy rate besides subsiding child marriage.

2.4 Kanyashree to prevent child marriage

After India’s independence in 1947, the status of women and children have been under stern focus
by each and every government. However, the rate at which this section of the society was being
reformed was under satisfactory and the outreach of government schemes and policies were also
limited. Traditionally in India and particularly in West Bengal, Child marriage was a prevalent
practice and despite it being outlawed by Acts made against it, it still prevails. The prohibition of
Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) has defined the age limit of marriage of girls and boys in India
as 18 years and 21 years respectively. Bhattacharya (2017), opined that this so called marriage is
actually a forced alliance that not only obstructs individual development of each of the children
but also puts them at high health risk. The rate of child marriage had been extremely alarming in
the rural areas compared to cities.
The state of West Bengal has always been lagging behind in countering child marriage compared
to other states. Until 2007-08, the state ranked 5th in the ranks of prevalence of child marriage in
the country. According to Mandal et al. (2015), certain regions within West Bengal are highly
vulnerable such as Dakshin Dinajpur, Purulia, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Malda, Bankura, Cooch
Bihar and Nadia. The scenic was no different in cities where irrespective of advantages of better
access to education, girls were married off prior to reaching adulthood. Svanemyr et al. (2015),
opined that there are innumerable negative aspects of child marriage such as psychological
distress, early dropout from schools, high infant mortality rate and compromised health of young
mothers.
The prakalpa has successfully addressed these above mentioned issues to a great extent. The
current statistical analysis shows a completely different picture of West Bengal from what was
seen until few years ago. The scheme ascertains the unhindered and universal access to
education.

2.5Theory of Change on Child Marriage

Kalamar, Lee-Rife & Hindin (2016), opined that The Theory of Change to child marriage outlines
the various effective approaches needed to successfully prevent child marriage. This theory
demonstrates how these mentioned approaches intersect also mentions the basic indicators that
can be used various practitioners to check the progress. It acts as a basic framework to generate
consensus regarding the actions required to address the issue of child marriage and support their
education. It aims to develop greater level of partnership and cooperation amongst various levels,
organizations and sectors. There are certain guiding principles as mentioned in the theory
namely; neither child marriage nor married girls must be neglected, monitoring the effect of child
marriage on both young girls and boys, adaptation of multiple strategies to end child marriage
and need for action at regional, national and global level.
The above mentioned theory has been successfully applied via Kanyashree Prakalpa in West
Bengal. The Prakalpa or scheme covers most of the guiding principles mentioned in the Theory of

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Change to certain extent. However unlike the need for covering both unmarried and married girls
under theory of change, the first version of the prakalpa (K-1) covers only unmarried girls in the
age group of 13-18. The prakalpa adapts a diverse strategy as per the theory which includes a
conditional base developed to provide the cash transfer aimed at particular age groups and
educational levels. However as per the theory, the prakalpa which is a strategy adapted by the
state government needs to be linked to some national and global strategies for better
achievements. However, subject to the theory the scheme has been modified and further
upgraded versions of the scheme such as Kanyashree Prakalpa 2 or K-2 which has different
preconditions than the previous one and covers married girls as well. Therefore, the Kanyashree
prakalpa has been expanding and refining its strategy outlines for greater coverage.

2.6 Legal framework to prevent child marriage

The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929

The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (POCM), 2006
Currently the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (POCM), 2006 is in practice in the country which
ensures strict measures being taken against those indulging in acts of child marriage (CHILDLINE
1098, 2018). According to Gangoli (2016), a cadre of officers called Child Marriage Prohibition
Officers work in close relation to the policies of national and state government to prevent and/or
stop child marriage occurrences. Besides this provisions are made to book a case of child
marriage in The Indian Penal Code (IPC). Compulsory registration of marriage also prevents
child abduction and cases of child trafficking in relation to child marriage.

2.7 Gap in literature

These literary sources are suggesting the impact of kanyashree in order to prevent the child
marriage in rural areas of West Bengal. On the other hand, those have shaded limited light on
other factors which are also playing important role in this context. These literatures have hardly
figured out the specific solutions for the girl child of West Bengal. Apart from that, these have also
been limited its viewpoints on rural West Bengal, while girls of urban areas are also the victims of
this challenge. In the broader aspect, child marriage is a major problem in whole country which
has not been considered here.

3. Result
Application of kanyashree schemes has improved the child marriage scenario in present West
Bengal up to a larger extent. It has focussed over some of the major aspects like social, self
employment and sustainable approach for development in order to initiate the depletion of girl
child marriage. It is a very deep rooted process that is applied in every segment of the society in
order to eradicate the evil practice of child marriage. The application of direct conditional cash
transfer process under kanyashree has set parents free from the financial burden of having a girl
child. This has largely influenced the decrementing school dropout rates all over West Bengal.
Implementation of kanyashree also includes development of major prospects that include
conducting social and cultural meetings in rural areas, seminar organisation in schools in order to
informing girl students about their respective rights in general as well as in the context of
marriage. In addition to this the annual income group that is benefited with the application of this
scheme belongs to people earning Rs 120000 annually. This is the reason it is focussed with a very
vast segment of people. As of currently the objectives are not met fully, but the development in
reduction of underage marriages suggest that this scheme has a major potential for development
of this social irresponsibility all around the state (Ghara & Roy, 2017). The kanyashree scheme has
benefited around nine million girls and their respective families since its launch. The government
of West Bengal has major expectations in relation with the development of socio economic
condition of girl children all around the state. In association with the developmental and beneficial
aspects implemented by the government, application of a legal prospect is equally functional.
Modification in different acts related to child protection and education are also majorly focussed
in order to enhance the development of girl children all around the state of West Bengal.
(Refer to appendix 2)

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4. Conclusion
A major conclusion that can be developed through the analysis and understanding in order to
deal with the respective problems in the process of developing an environment that is relatively
based on child marriages and application of kanyashree scheme in West Bengal. A major factor
that can be drawn from this research relates with the introduction and development of an effective
mode of development channel by the government of West Bengal in order to enhance child
development and progress. The aspects mentioned in this research are largely focused with areas
that are largely influenced by effective use of the kanyashree scheme. Every possible area,
which relates to the progress and development aspect of children are covered based on the
understanding developed through various sources and previous research works. Later in the
research some important areas like social, economic and cultural aspects relevant to the topic are
also discussed which cover majorly important areas. The research largely instigates the
importance of girl child education in different aspects affecting evil practices early marriages. In
addition to this, the impact and benefits of kanyashree scheme is widely discussed for a major
understanding of the current scenario of West Bengal.

Reference list:
1. Ali, H. Md., & Jha, S. (2015). Prevent Child Marriage: An Essay With Special Reference To
Kanyashree Prakalpa Of West Bengal . Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences
Research (JBM&SSR), 4(7), 520-525. Retrieved on 10 August 2018. Retrieved from:
www.researchgate.net
2. Bhattacharya, A., Biswas, B., Garg, S., Dey, A., & Dasgupta, A. (2017). Perceptions of
Accredited Social Health Activists Regarding Teen Age Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in a
Rural Area of West Bengal, India. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 11(12). Retreived
on 9 August 2018. Retrieved from: www.researchgate.net
3. Bhattacharyya, A., BiSwAS, B., GArG, S., Dey, A., & DASGuPtA, A. (2017). Perceptions of
Accredited Social Health Activists Regarding Teen Age Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in a
Rural Area of West Bengal, India. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, 11(12). Retrieved
on: 11th Aug, 2018, Retrieved from: www.researchgate.net
4. Chakraborty, S. (2015). Right to education-A study on tribal women of rural area of West
Bengal. Retrieved on: 11th Aug, 2018, Retrieved from:www.ir.inflibnet.ac.in
5. Gangoli, G. (2016). Indian feminisms: Law, patriarchies and violence in India. Abingdon:
Routledge.
6. Ghara, T.K. & Roy, K. (2017). Impact of Kanyashree Prakalpa – Districtwise Analysis. IOSR
Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 22(7), 27-35, Retrieved on: 11th Aug,
2018, Retrieved from: www.iosrjournals.org
7. Kalamar, A. M., Lee-Rife, S., & Hindin, M. J. (2016). Interventions to prevent child marriage
among young people in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review of the
published and gray literature. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(3), S16-S21. Retrieved on 12
August 2018. Retrieved from: www.jahonline.org
8. Mandal, D., Ray, A., Goswami, A. K., Pal, D. C., & Kundu, P. (2015). Age of marriage of
females: a cross sectional study in Bankura District, West Bengal: child marriage is still
high. cognitive development, 5, 13. Retrieved on 11 August 2018. Retrieved from:
www.jemds.com
9. Mir, N. (2018). The Impact of Kanyashree Scheme in West Bengal. IOSR Journal Of
Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS),23(3), 08-11, Retrieved on: 11th Aug, 2018,
Retrieved from: www.iosrjournals.org
10. Modak, P., & Roy, R. (2018). Determinants of Child Marriage of Girls in West
Bengal. Arthshastra: Indian Journal of Economics & Research, 7(3), 53-66. Retrieved on 11
August 2018. Retrieved from: www.indianjournalofeconomicsandresearch.com
11. Nayan, M. (2015). Child marriage in India: Social maladies and government’s
initiatives. IJAR, 1(5), 72-80. Retrieved on: 11th Aug, 2018, Retrieved from:
www.allresearchjournal.com
12. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2018), Kanyashree scheme helps to stop child marriage,
Retrieved on: 11th Aug, 2018, Retrieved from: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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13. Svanemyr, J., Chandra-Mouli, V., Raj, A., Travers, E., & Sundaram, L. (2015). Research
priorities on ending child marriage and supporting married girls. Reproductive health, 12(1),
80. Retreived on 13 August 2018. Retreived from: www.reproductive-health-
journal.biomedcentral.com

Appendices:

Appendix 1: Underage marriages in West Bengal

Source: (http://kpb985.blogspot.com/2015/04/kanyashree-prakalpa.html)

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Appendix 2: Major reasons for early marriages

Source: (https://factly.in/child-marriages-in-india-reasons-state-wise-analysis-child-abuse/)

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