BIRENDRANAGAR, Dec 31: The Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2022 has revealed a concerning trend in Karnali, where 21 percent of girls under the age of 19 are found to be pregnant. Among the districts, Jajarkot records the highest percentage at 38.83, while Kalikot reports the lowest at 20.20 percent, reflecting instances of child marriage as a contributing factor.
Human rights activists emphasise that child marriages are particularly prevalent in the Dalit community, with the Badi community experiencing a significant number of such cases. Chetan Giri, a seasoned human rights activist, pointed out that after Dalits, child marriages are more common among Brahmins, Chhetri, and indigenous groups.
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Giri underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting that the issue persists due to the lack of concrete programs from provincial and local governments. A program organized recently by the common campaign network against child marriage in Karnali sheds light on the alarming state of child marriages in the region.
A major hurdle identified by activists is the ineffective implementation of laws by government agencies, leading to a failure in addressing child marriage complaints, conducting necessary investigations, and prosecuting culprits. This lax approach inadvertently encourages the prevalence of child marriages.
Various factors contribute to the persistence of child marriages, including societal pressure, the absence of a child-friendly environment, illiteracy, and the negative impact of social media. Disturbingly, the aftermath of child marriages is linked to increased maternal deaths, infant mortality, family conflicts, divorces, polygamy, and suicides.
While efforts to curb child marriages are evident in other provinces, Karnali faces challenges in implementation due to a lack of budget for the past two years. The absence of awareness programs in Karnali, compounded by the state government's failure to prioritise policies and programs, further exacerbates the issue. Despite some initiatives by non-governmental organisations, the overall prevalence of child marriages in Karnali remains alarmingly high.
