As I was going through today’s ‘Online Khabar,’ I came across a piece written by Amrita Lamsal. In her writing, she discusses the issue and questions, ‘If lowering the age of marriage’ is the only way to solve the problem of rape and sexual harassment? If it is indeed the reason the parliamentarians are advocating the lowering of the age of marriage, it is a very weak argument; it does not make any sense at all.
While proponents may argue it aligns with certain cultural norms or provides greater autonomy, the reality is that such a move would be a significant setback for the nation's progress, particularly for the well-being and rights of young women.
Lowering the marriage age would have devastating consequences, especially in a country where child marriage is still a persistent problem and almost all parliamentarians know the disadvantages of child marriage. They have likely forgotten the reason why the age of marriage was raised to 20 years! So, let me reiterate it.
I am sure we all remember the problem of girls dropping out of school. Now that it has reduced a lot, come, we are thinking of forcing young girls to drop out of college, robbing them of their education and future economic prospects. With marriage, they become trapped in a cycle of poverty, dependent on their husbands, and unable to contribute fully to society.
Early marriage also forces girls to face significantly higher risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Their bodies are often not fully developed, leading to maternal mortality and morbidity. They are also more vulnerable to domestic violence and sexually transmitted infections.
Along with this comes the loss of autonomy and agency. Early marriage strips young women of their right to make informed choices about their lives. They are often pressured into marriage by their families, lacking the maturity and experience to understand the full implications of their decision.
This is where the dilemma comes in. At 18, the girl is a child to decide. Hence, the parents decide to get her married. At the same time, she is old enough to get married and have children. It is about time; parents need to choose. If she is old enough to get married, she is also old enough to decide on her body and her future!
At the same time, our esteemed parliamentarians also need to rethink their options. Are they ready to get their daughters married off at age 18 and face the consequences of early marriage their daughter will go through? Do they have a plan to protect their daughter from having babies at 19?
Advisory task force recommends keeping marriage age at 18
They need to understand that lowering the age of marriage leads to the perpetuation of gender inequality. It reinforces harmful gender stereotypes and perpetuates the cycle of gender inequality. It sends a message that girls are less deserving of education, opportunities, and the right to control their destinies.
Let us be clear that lowering the age of marriage does not solve the problem of rape and sexual harassment; in fact, it can exacerbate it. Here are the reasons why: It Increases the vulnerability of younger individuals. Particularly, girls are more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse.
Lowering the age of marriage increases their risk of being forced into situations where they lack the power to consent or resist. Early marriage often creates an imbalance of power within the relationship, making it easier for abuse to occur. Along with this, there are also legal complications.
Lowering the age of marriage can create legal loopholes that make it harder to prosecute cases of sexual assault and rape, especially within marital relationships. It can blur the lines between consensual sex and statutory rape, making it more difficult to protect young victims.
Instead, let us work together to address the root causes of rape and sexual harassment. Rape and sexual harassment are rooted in deeply ingrained societal issues, such as gender inequality, patriarchal norms, and a lack of respect for women's rights.
Lowering the age of marriage does nothing to address these root causes. Instead, it reinforces them. It hurts victims. Forcing young people into marriage does not protect them from sexual violence; it often exposes them to it.
It can lead to long-term psychological trauma, physical health problems, and a loss of autonomy. Instead of lowering the age of marriage, our efforts should focus on,
• Strengthening legal frameworks: Implementing and enforcing laws that protect young people from sexual violence.
• Promoting gender equality: Challenging harmful gender norms and empowering women and girls.
• Providing comprehensive sex education: Educating young people about consent, healthy relationships, and their rights.
• Supporting survivors of sexual violence: Providing access to counseling, legal aid, and other support services.
Lowering the age of marriage is a counterproductive measure that will only increase the vulnerability of young people to sexual violence. Instead of lowering the marriage age, Nepal should focus on empowering young women and investing in their futures.
We need to continue investing in education. Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering girls. By ensuring access to quality education,
Nepal can create a generation of informed, capable, and independent women. At the same time, we also need to strengthen legal frameworks: Nepal should strengthen its legal frameworks to protect girls from child marriage and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
Let us continue with our public awareness campaigns to challenge harmful social norms that perpetuate child marriage. Engaging communities, religious leaders, and families in these efforts is essential. While we are at it, let us also think about providing support services to vulnerable youth.
Young women who are at risk of or have experienced early marriage need access to comprehensive support services, including education, healthcare, and counseling. It is essential to provide these girls with comprehensive sex education: Educating young people about consent, healthy relationships, and their rights. They need to know about their legal rights if they are sexually violated.
There is a need to support the survivors of sexual violence by providing access to counseling, legal aid, and other support services. Lowering the age of marriage is a counterproductive measure that will only increase the vulnerability of young people to sexual violence.
Finally, there is a call for progress, not regression. Nepal has made significant strides in recent years in improving the lives of its citizens. Lowering the marriage age would undermine these achievements and jeopardize the future of its young women.
It is imperative that Nepal uphold the legal age of marriage at 20, and instead, prioritize policies and programs that empower girls, protect their rights, and enable them to reach their full potential. Only then can Nepal truly build a prosperous and equitable future for all its citizens.