Anjana (not her real name) of Dashrathpur, Surkhet district eloped with her classmate when they were both eighth graders. She couldn't continue her studies after that as she had to start shouldering household responsibilities. "I felt awkward going to school after I had my baby. My responsibilities increased and that prevented me from completing my highschool education," she said.Rita (also name changed) of Birendranagar-4 has a similar story. "My parents started talking about my marriage when I was in sixth grade. After I got married, I did not find the environment to continue my studies," she said. "Although my in-laws promised my parental family that I would be able to continue my studies, that did not happen," she added.
The traditional belief that daughters-in-law shouldn't be going to school is one of the reasons why children who are already in wedlock cannot puruse their education. Lack of awareness and economic and social problems are some of the factors conducive to child marriage. And after marriage, the children stop going to school because of physical, mental and economic reasons.
According to recent data published by a non-governmental organization, about 13,000 child marriages took place in Surkhet district during the last two years.
Although a few VDCs in the district have been declared "child marriage free", the declaration has remained on paper only as child marriage is still rampant due to failure to implement the law. The legal age for marraige in Nepal is 20 years for both males and females, according to the Act to Establish Gender Equality.
When children reach the age of 15 or 16, the family starts discussing their marriage prospects. So, family involvement is important if child marriage is to be discouraged. "If family members encourage child marriage, the problem will never end. Therefore, it is a must for the parents to participate in ending the practice of child marriage" said Rama Bhandari of the District Child Welfare Board.
District Education Officer Deepa Hamal said, "Many people have the mentality that daughters-in-law aren't suppose to go to school after marriage, which is why the number of girls leaving school after marriage is higher than the number of boys." It is necessary to spread awareness about the effects of child marriage, she added.
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