Bihar, where women face significant disadvantages in education, health, and labor force participation. This study examines the role of education in reducing gender inequality, with a focus on school enrollment, literacy, dropout trends, and sociocultural barriers. Using a mixed-methods design across six districts, the research draws on household surveys, school-level checklists, and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that each additional year of schooling substantially delays early marriage, enhances agency in household decision-making, and raises aspirations for employment. However, dropout rates remain high among adolescent girls, particularly in rural areas, due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of safe transport, and prevailing gender norms. Policies like scholarships and the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana have positively influenced girls’ school participation, though implementation challenges persist. The study concludes that quality education, safe learning environments, female teacher recruitment, and vocational pathways are critical to narrowing gender gaps. Strengthening community engagement and institutional monitoring can further sustain progress. Education, therefore, not only improves learning outcomes but also acts as a catalyst for women’s empowerment and inclusive development in Bihar
Neha Kumari (Fri,) studied this question.