Keeping Girls in Schools Longer: The Kanyashree Approach in India

Regarding interventions aimed at preventing girls from prematurely dropping out of schools, this study shows that inducing economic empowerment of girls is possible with targeted policies that promote their reproductive empowerment. Using Kanyashree Prakalpa, a conditional cash transfer program implemented in West Bengal, India, that directly incentivized school attendance to delay child marriage, the study finds a strong association between program participation and successfully lowering the historically higher dropout rates post-middle school. Program-eligible girls are 12 percent (7 percent) more likely to be enrolled in or to complete secondary (higher secondary) school, respectively. Program participation is associated with approximately five more months of education. In fact, the efficacy of the program is highly correlated with the length of exposure, and the most benefits are reaped by children in the poorest households. The article discusses three policy interventions, including directly targeting girls as they transition from childhood to young adulthood. HIGHLIGHTS In West Bengal, Kanyashree Prakalpa, a unique cash incentive program, links educational empowerment with girls’ reproductive empowerment. Program participation is strongly associated with successfully lowering the historically higher dropout rates post-middle school. Policies directly targeting adolescent girls are fruitful compared to indirect influence. Policies complementing the cash transfer with other programs based on the girls’ academic achievement are useful.