Children in Madhes Province active in combating child marriage

By Dhabendra Jha,Dhanusha, Apr. 26: In response to a surge in child marriages across Madhesh province, children have stepped up their efforts to address this pressing issue.  Plan International Nepal, in collaboration with Asman Nepal and CFW, has engaged children in a proactive campaign aimed at reducing child marriages.

The initiative, which included a girls’ conference and an exhibition featuring paintings depicting the adverse effects of early marriage, took place in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province. 

Laxmi Chaudhary, the coordinator of the conference and campaign administrator of Plan International Nepal, highlighted the programme’s objective to raise awareness about the physical, mental, financial, and social consequences of early marriage.

The event was attended by children and teenagers aged between 13 and 24 years from various schools and colleges. 

Rabi Shankar Pandit, eastern regional manager of Plan International Nepal, said that the campaign is expected to combat child marriage, as the event took place in the participation of the stakeholders. 

Twenty children from five municipalities of Dhanusha created artwork depicting the violence and challenges associated with child marriage. 

Koshila Mahara, who got married at the age of 15, shared her firsthand experiences of child marriage through the means of painting. 

Mahara, now a mother of one, highlighted the numerous challenges that arise after marrying at a young age. 

She also urged all not to get married before reaching an appropriate age.

Participants like Shobha Mahato and Pratima Kumari Mandal also voiced their determination to oppose child marriage and work towards its prevention. 

Pratima Kumari Mandal, a participant from Janaknandani Rural Municipality of Dhanusha, shared that those who marry before reaching the marriageable age face various forms of violence.  She expressed her determination not to marry before marriageable age and vowed to work towards preventing others from doing so.

She underscored the economic, physical, mental, and social consequences of early marriage, emphasising the importance of generating awareness about these issues.

Through their active involvement, children in Madhes Province are making significant strides in the fight against child marriage, aiming to create a safer and healthier future for themselves and their communities.