Can a seat on a school bus change lives?

In Vinita’s village in Giridih District, Jharkhand, schools are few, and far between. Many children have to walk long distances just to get an education.

This is a big problem for girls. As they reach adolescence, some start to face eve-teasing from men and boys on the journey to school, and drop out. Many of those who leave school early are also married off while they are still children. Giridih district has one of the highest rates of child marriage in India where 6 out of 10 girls are married before 18 years. Thus, these girls lose their chance at an education and a bright future. Vinita was nearly one of them. After she was eve-teased, she swore she would never go to school again. 

And then something wonderful happened! In partnership with the Jago Foundation, UNICEF in Jharkhand began working towards making 65 villages ‘child marriage free’ in this district.

Thanks to the work of the programme, young girls like Vinita, Mamta and many others now travel safely to and from school in a special vehicle. They are members of an adolescent girl’s group – a place they can share their fears, talk about their hopes and dreams, and learn useful life skills such as Karate.

UNICEF is also working in their local community to raise awareness of the benefits of keeping girls in school, and the dangers of child marriage.

“Earlier we had to form groups and go to school, as boys and men would trouble us on the way. But now, we can reach our school and home safely,” says 17 year old Mamta. 

If girls like Vinita and Mamta are able to finish their education, they are more likely to grow up to be happy, productive citizens. They can be nurses, lawyers, teachers and mothers, who can contribute to their communities and their country.