Strengthening Programme Management, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Capacities of the Programme Management Unit of the State Campaign on Child Marriage and Dowry supported by the Women Development Corporation, Government of Bihar

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PC institute partnered with WDC (Women Development Corporation) and UNICEF in Bihar to provide technical assistance to strengthen the Baal Vivah aur Dahej Mukt Hamara Bihar campaign launched by the Chief minister of Bihar. The campaign included mass public education against child marriage and dowry; formation and nurturing of adolescent groups and initiation and strengthening of a task force that was designated with redressal duties against child marriage and dowry complaints from the community in coordination with the government system like police, women, and child development, among others. PC institute’s role in this campaign was to strengthen the Monitoring and evaluation practices used by WDC in the campaign expansion and supporting WDC in undertaking a rapid and rigorous concurrent assessment of the program. Baseline findings indicate that there is a widespread agreement that girls should not be married before the age of 18, however, majority people maintain their allegiance to the concept of dowry in marriages. About two-thirds of the population had heard about the campaign and two-fifth participated in campaign related activities. Respondents largely perceived the campaign to be effective in raising awareness and starting a much-needed discourse around child marriage and dowry.