Odisha: Worry over teenage pregnancies

BHUBANESWAR: At least 7.6 per cent women in the 15-19 age group in Odisha are becoming pregnant with no improvement in the figure from 2015-16, according to the latest National Family Health Survey.
At the national level, the figure has gone down from 7.9 per cent (2015-16) to 6.8 per cent (2020-21).
Experts pointed out that there has been no change in public approach in the state despite awareness against child marriages.
Social activists said women are getting married early because of socio-economic condition, lack of education and orthodox thinking. "I think there are still pockets where girl children are considered a liability and parents want to get them married off early," said social activist Ghasiram Panda.