BY: AMLESH
Child marriage is defined as any formal or informal union where at least one person is under the age of 18 (in context of Nepal, under the age of 20). Internationally, this practice is recognized as serious violation of human right that prevent young people, especially girls from exercising their right to health, education, and safety. It practices deeply rooted in the gender inequality and act a both a cause and consequences of poverty.
While the global efforts are underway, the child marriage is still serious problem. According to UNICEF report 2023, today more than 650 million women were married before the age of 18 and about 12 million girls continue to be married every year,
South Asia carries a large part of this burden, accounting for nearly 45% of all child brides globally. In Nepal, the Situation is especially concerning. According to NDHS-2022, about 355 of girls are married before the age of 18 and 6% before they even turn 15. Because of this, Nepal has the second-highest rate of child marriage in South Asia and ranks seventh in world.
The Intersection of Child Marriage and SRHR
One of the most profound consequences of child marriage is its negative impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). When a girl is married as child, she often loses the ability to make decision about her own body and future.
Many girls who married at young age frequently face “ reproductive coercion “ meaning they have little or no control over when they have sexual intercourse, whether they use contraception, or when they become pregnant. This lack decision making power which directly violates their reproductive rights and force them into early motherhood before they are physically or emotionally ready.
Child marriage also brings serious health risks, In Nepal, complication during pregnancy and child birth are one of leading causes of death among girls aged 15-29. Girls under 18 are two to five times more likely to die from pregnancy related complication compared to adult women. Because their bodies are still developing, young mothers are also at greater risk of conditions such as Obstetric fistula (a severe childbirth injury that cause chronic incontinence, long term disability and social isolation).
The Intergenerational Cycle of Health Issues:
The impact of child marriage extends to the next generation and the overall wellbeing of the family
- Neonatal Health: Babies born to adolescent mother are more likely to be premature, have low birth weights, and face higher mortality in first year.
- Nutritional Deficiency: Young mother often suffer from severe anaemia and stunting because their own bodies must complete with the fetus for nutrients. This creates cycle of malnutrition that affects both mother and the child.
- Mental Health and Violence: Child brides experiences higher rate of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are also more vulnerable to domestic violence because they are often socially isolated and financially depend on their husbands or in-laws.
The Path towards Change
Nepal has made significant legal strides, such as the National Penal Code of 2017, which set the minimum marriage at 20. This legislation set the specific penalties for the violators include:
- Imprisonment: Individuals found guilty can face up to 3 years in prison.
- Financial fines: Violators may be require to pay fine of up to NPR 30,000.
The 2017 penal code update removed the exception for parental consent, Standardizing the age at 20 and formally criminalizing the practice with the aforementioned penalties.
The government has also committed to ending child marriage by 2030 in alignment with the Sustainable development goals. However the legal changes are alone not enough to fix a 35% marriage rate.
Challenges in Enforcement
- Despite these clear legal penalties, the sources highlight significant reasons in holding violators accountable:
- Rural Enforcement: Legal enforcement is often poor in rural districts where local customs may override national laws.
- Identification issues: Many birth in Nepal go unregistered, which makes it nearly impossible for authorities to verify age and prosecute cases.
- Social norms: In many communities, deep rooted patriarchal traditions and the devaluations of girls mean that child marriage continues unchallenged by local law enforcement.
Ways to Overcome These Challenges
To address these gap and protect the health and rights of young girls, the following actions are essentials:
- Legal & Administrative Strength: Improving birth registration drives to enable age verification and strengthening legal enforcement in rural areas.
- Education & empowerment: Ensure free and compulsory secondary education for girls and providing them with life skills and comprehensive sexuality education.
- Economic Support: Investing in a social protection and cash grant programs for the poorest households to reduce the economic incentives for early marriage.
- Community Engagement: Working with local leaders and families to change social norms that prioritize early marriage over a girl’s health.
As UNICEF emphasizes, “Every girls has right to choose if, when, and whom to marriage.” Protecting that right is not just a legal necessity, it is a fundamental requirement for the health, dignity and future of millions girls in Nepal and beyond.