Nepal listed third in South Asia in early marriage

By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Oct. 18: Nepal has been positioned the third in early child marriage in South Asia.

As per the study conducted by UNICEF, child marriage of both girl child and boy child is highly prevalent in Nepal and has been listed as third in South Asia. 

On the occasion of the International day of the girl, 2022, organized by UNFPA, Sancharika Samuha, and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Won Young Hong, a Country Representative of the UNFPA, said, "Until and unless we work on ending child marriage in the country, the proper child development and child rights will not be ensured to them."

She said that there are multi-dimensional aspects such as education, health, child marriage, sexual violence, and child labor in Nepal, which need to be improved.

Yama Lal Bhusal, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens said that the situation of girl children is vulnerable in Nepal. Financial condition, geography, topography, lack of education, and disadvantaged background adds to their being at risk.

He said that ensuring education, good health, and ending child labor and child marriage in Nepal gives children a chance for a better life.

Aananda Tamang, Director of the Crehpa, said that the changing total fertility rate in the country, preference for a male child, and easy access to technology are the leading reasons behind the increased sex ratio at birth.

He said that there has been an increased gap in the sex ratio and is expected to rise in the future. It is because many parents are not willing to give birth to many children, with this, they prefer a son as the firstborn as well.

 The International Day of the Girl, 2022 is being celebrated today with a theme, " Our time is now, Our rights, Our future."