ABSTRACT
It is well documented in the literature that early marriage restricts women from obtaining education, gaining access to career and training possibilities, building social interactions with peers, and engaging in social activities. Malnutrition and high mortality and morbidity rates are some of the negative health effects of early marriage. To mitigate the negative consequences of child marriage, the Indian government has implemented several laws to prevent child marriage. Nevertheless, the persistence of child marriages in many regions of the country, including Bihar, continues to be a cause for concern for policymakers. This chapter explores the trends of child marriage in Bihar, its social and economic determinants, and the strategies and initiatives to combat this problem.
