Child marriage
Child marriage
It is common in Nepal and other South Asian countries to hear
about the child marriage that still takes place among the poor communities in
the rural areas. However, the level of such marriage varies from one place to another
place. Nepal ranks tenth in the world and third after Bangladesh and India in South Asia as claimed by C K Singh of Child Marriage
and Dowry Elimination National Campaign Nepal. Saptari has outnumbered the other
districts in child marriage according to the recent research findings of this organization
“Child marriage rampant in Saptari” THT, March 13, Page 5). More than 83 % marriages were held between
the couples of under 18 years of age.
The main reason behind this child marriage was
found to be the increasing trend of dowry system which has been rampant in the
Tarai districts. If the girl is educated, she has to find an educated groom for
which her parents have to pay heavy dowries. Due this practice, most of the
parents prefer to get their daughters married at an early age instead of
educating them. This practice continues to rise in the plain districts
resulting more girls tying their knots less than 18 years of age. This is a
direct violation of their right to education, reproductive health and safer
motherhood. What are the local human rights activists, who claim to be the watchdog of human
rights violations, doing in these districts?
It was a bit surprising and disheartening to
know that the local administration and other concerned authorities do not take
any initiation to curtail this anti-social system. This is complete negligence
of these organizations which are supposed to strictly put stringent laws in
place. Considering child marriage is a punishable crime, local administration
should immediately stop this by discouraging dowry system. The role of
political leaders, who claim to be the representative of the people, seem also to
be crucial and vital to educate the local population about the bad practice of
dowry system and completely chase away child marriage practice from their
respective districts.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
