Pillar: Agency & Engagement
7.3% of women in Cooch Behar own land in their name, behind the typical district. 76.5% take part in all three major household decisions, close to the typical district. The District Legal Services Authority provides the free legal aid that backs these rights when they are contested.
75% of registered enterprises are in services while 25% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 64% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12). Only 21% of ITI trainers are certified.
In Cooch Behar, which ranks 12 of 23 in West Bengal for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 44.3 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women's freedom of movement at 68%, while it lags on women who own a house at 9% and households in the poorest wealth group at 40%.
Mandated services and how to locate the DLSA (Legal Aid) in Cooch Behar are in the Cooch Behar district course and the English reference guide (Hindi). See the Cooch Behar youth opportunity scorecard for the full district picture.