Impact of Interventions Supporting Girls’ Education on Early Marriage, Pregnancy and Work Participation: Evidence Synthesis

Gundi, Mukta and Dayal, Radhika (2024) Impact of Interventions Supporting Girls’ Education on Early Marriage, Pregnancy and Work Participation: Evidence Synthesis. Indian Journal of Human Development. ISSN 2456-480X

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Abstract

This article synthesises the evidence on the impact of interventions supporting adolescent girls’ andyoung women’s education on delaying marriage, childbearing and improving work participation. A total of13 studies (eight from sub-Saharan Africa and five from South Asia) during the years 2000–2020 met ourinclusion criteria. A major focus of the included studies was to reduce the schooling cost, with limitedfocus on strategies such as supplementary coaching, making schools girl-friendly, monitoring performanceand sensitising communities about educating girls. Most studies that measured the effects on marriage andchildbearing showed a positive impact. However, interventions were less successful in influencing workparticipation. Although a majority of studies reported positive effects on educational outcomes, fewermeasured or reported positive effects on other social and health outcomes. This evidence synthesissuggests a need for studying long-term effects of such interventions on girls’ and women’s family, workand social life in order to inform policy. Studies that explore the varying impacts of such interventions ongirls and women from different sociocultural settings are needed. Our evidence synthesis underscoresthe importance of making comprehensive efforts to support girls’ education in order to meet the globaldevelopment commitments of ensuring equitable life opportunities for adolescent girls and young women.

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Article

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Gundi, Mukta and Dayal, Radhika

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