Last year, a 15-year-old girl in Nisikhola Rural Municipality, Baglung, married without parental consent and is now pregnant at 16. Four other girls aged 16 and 17 in the same ward also married, with three expecting babies. Child marriage remains widespread in this rural hill district.
Nepal’s Civil Code sets the marriage age at 20, and child marriage has been illegal since 1963. Despite penalties under the Criminal Code, enforcement is weak, and the practice persists in remote areas, often punishing victims rather than preventing the crime.
Many underage girls lack awareness of health risks and legal protections. Local health workers like Nim Kumari Chand provide counseling, encouraging pregnant girls to attend regular health checkups and seek medical care when needed.
Health Mothers’ Groups meet monthly to spread awareness about child marriage and early pregnancy. Despite these efforts, families often marry off daughters in secret, requiring health workers to shift focus to supporting pregnant girls and young mothers.
Government and NGOs continue to fight child marriage, but challenges like poverty, dowry practices, and poor enforcement hinder progress. According to a 2022 survey, 14% of girls aged 15-19 nationwide have been pregnant, with the highest rates in Karnali and Madhesh Provinces.