Women’s education in Manipur: Less than 50 pe cent women of the state in 15-49 years age bracket have completed ten or more years of schooling

National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-20) data show that less than 50 per cent of women in 15-49 years age bracket in Manipur had ten or more years of schooling despite high literacy rates among them. Percentage of women in this category is as low as 33.1 per cent in Tamenglong district and 36.6 in Churachandpur district. While eight of nine districts covered by the NFHS survey recorded increase in percentage of such women, Churachandpur recorded a decline from 38.1 in 2015-16 (NFHS-4) to 33.1 in 2019-20 (NFHS-5). Imphal East distict recorded the highest percentage of 61.9 in this category.

Among the hills district only Ukhrul district recorded a higher percentage of 49.7 in this age group, which is higher than the state average of 48.1 percent.

Women aged 15-49 years with 10 or more years of schooling NFHS- 5, 2019-20

The Data also show that state recoded increase in child marriage and teenage pregnancy during NFHS-5. During NFHS- 5, 2019-20, percentage Women in the age group 20-24 years married before age 18 years was 16.3, compared to 13.7 in the previous NFHS- 4, 2015-16 survey. In the category of women aged 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey, the percentage increased to 8.6 in NFHS- 5 from 7.4 in NFHS- 4.

Women age 20-24 years married before age 18 years, NFHS- 5, 2015-15

Women age 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey,

NFHS-5, 2015-16

Table 1 - Women with 10 or more years of schooling NFHS- 5, 2019-20

Table 2- Manipur-NFHS- 5, 2019-20

1. Women in the age group 20-24 years married before age 18 years

2. Women age 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey

Source:

http://rchiips.org/nfhs/districtfactsheet_NFHS-5.shtml

NEZINE Bureau