400 peer educators prepared to discourage child marriage

By Dharmendra Jha,Dhanusha, May 24: Life Nepal has prepared 400 peer educators (transformation champions) to reduce child marriage. With the support of UNICEF and in coordination with the Madhes Province Government, Life Nepal provided training to 400 students under the Transformation Programme and prepared them as peer educators.

Since practices of child marriage, dowry and gender-based violence were increasing in the Madhes Province, peer educators were prepared to spread awareness and help mitigate these issues.

According to Surait Thakur, Chairman of Life Nepal, trainer Ramdev Thakur trained students on effective communication, stress management, challenges in achieving goals, life skills, the exercise of child rights and topics including gender and sexuality. The training programmes were conducted in three districts of Madhes Province - Dhanusha, Mahottari and Saptari.

He informed that each trained student would share the knowledge gained with 100 students from their respective schools. This initiative is expected to reduce harmful practices like child marriage, dowry and gender-based violence and develop life skills among students.

Neel Mani Shukla, coordinator of the Transformation Programme, informed that the training was provided in each district for five days by forming four groups. The students were equipped with the knowledge of managing any incidents in schools and practicing child rights mentioned in the constitution 

He said that students from 100 schools across 12 municipalities in three districts of Madhes Province had participated in the training. Additionally, 400 students, along with 200 teachers and 300 officials of complaints hearing committees had received training through this programme. 

The programme is operational in Laxminiya Rural Municipality, Shahidnagar Municipality, Mithila Municipality and Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City in Dhanusha district. Similarly, it is also being conducted in Manarashiswa Municipality, Ekadara Rural Municipality, Pipra Rural Municipality and Bardibas Municipality in Mahottari district and Surunga Municipality, Chhinmasta Rural Municipality, Bishnupur Rural Municipality and Rajbiraj Municipality in Saptari district.