Bardibas-7 declared child-marriage-free ward

By Ravindra Upreti,Bardibas, Nov. 25: Bardibas Municipality-7 has been declared a child-marriage-free ward under the slogan 'ending child marriage, building a prosperous society.' 

The announcement was made during the ‘Declaration Assembly 2025,’ held at the Shiva Temple premises in Premnagar, where a joint commitment letter was publicly endorsed through collective signatures.

With this, the number of child-marriage-free wards in Bardibas Municipality has reached 11. Addressing the assembly on Sunday evening, Prahlad Chhetri, Mayor of Bardibas Municipality, said child marriage is a legal offence, a social curse and a violation of child rights. 

He said that the municipality aims to make Bardibas the first child-marriage-free municipality in the Mahottari district.

“Declaring a ward child-marriage-free is not enough. Families and society must take a firm stand against child marriage to secure the future of their children,” Chhetri said.

Deputy Mayor Tara Devi Mahato said eliminating child marriage remains challenging because it is deeply rooted in society. She added that the active efforts and achievements of Ward No. 7 have become an inspiration for other wards as well. Ward No.7 is home to 3,458 people, including indigenous, ethnic and Dalit communities. A survey conducted two years ago showed the child marriage rate in the ward was 50 per cent, said Ram Sogarath Yadav Bhoril, Chair of Ward No.7.

After the survey revealed a critical and alarming situation, an awareness campaign against child marriage was launched under Bhoril’s leadership. Child committees formed in four settlements and three schools played a key role.

“Street dramas, door-to-door awareness, legal information sessions and social pressure created by child clubs and the ‘Ward Child Committee’ made the campaign increasingly effective,” Bhoril added.

The campaign was supported by organisations such as Save the Children and the Community Development Advocacy Forum. A ‘Mobilisation Committee’ led by ward member Ram Shankar Kapar helped influence families and the wider community. Ward police, the health post, civil society and mothers’ groups also became actively involved.

After one and a half years, a second survey carried out jointly by the ward and supporting organisations showed that the child marriage rate had dropped to nearly 8 per cent. Following this significant decline, Ward No. 7 was officially declared child-marriage-free.

“This achievement is like a victory celebration for the residents. Work is ongoing to bring the remaining 8 per cent down to zero,” Bhoril said.

According to Sushma Thapa, chief of the municipal women’s section, a ward must score above 90 per cent in 13 specified indicators to qualify for child-marriage-free status. The latest survey confirmed that Ward No. 7 met all the required criteria.Chief Administrative Officer Rammani Adhikari said the municipality has adopted policies to eliminate child marriage and called on all sections of society to support the effort.

Campaigner Som Bahadur Karki from the Community Development Advocacy Forum reminded participants that the legal ban on marriage below 20 years also reflects the country’s international commitments. He said they will continue working with the remaining three wards to make the entire municipality child-marriage-free.