Dialogue stresses public awareness as key to preventing child marriage

Dhangadhi: Participants at a program have emphasized the need to create widespread public awareness at the local level to prevent child marriage.

The views were shared during a dialogue on child marriage in the Far West and its impact on education, organized by the Education Rights Monitoring Group Nepal and the Lu Niwa Child Concern Group in Dhangadhi on Tuesday. Participants noted that laws alone cannot be effectively implemented without awareness and stressed the importance of grassroots-level initiatives to reduce child marriage.

Jhankar Rawal, Chief of the National Human Rights Commission in Dhangadhi, said that societal norms and family environments contribute significantly to child marriage. He added that provincial and local governments have a major role to play in addressing the issue. Similarly, Ghuman Singh Badayak, Chief of the Education Branch of Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, said that regardless of the number of laws, regulations, and guidelines, effective implementation is not possible without adequate public awareness.

Stakeholders also emphasized the need to identify the root causes of child marriage and to design reduction programs accordingly. They noted that without understanding these underlying causes, it would be difficult to raise awareness and implement effective campaigns.

Although the Constitution of Nepal guarantees education as a fundamental right, participants pointed out that child marriage is having a serious impact on education. They said that incidents of children dropping out of school and being unable to continue their education are increasing, as early marriage places additional responsibilities such as child-rearing on young individuals.

Krishnagovinda Maharjan of the Education Rights Monitoring Group Nepal said that despite the existence of multiple policy frameworks aimed at ending child marriage, implementation remains weak. He added that active involvement of child welfare officers at the local level could significantly help reduce the practice.

During the program, Matrika Prasad Upadhyay, President of the Dhangadhi Children’s Network, said that child marriage has not declined because concerned bodies have failed to fulfill their responsibilities sincerely. Student Sangeeta Bhatta also shared that the trend of eloping and marrying at a young age will continue unless children themselves become aware of their future.