KATHMANDU, June 8: Rajani (name changed) from Siraha has not experienced a single moment of true happiness since she was married off at a tender age. Her parents forced her into marriage when she was just 14. Becoming a mother of three at such a young age, Rajni has been battling severe uterine complications for the past three years.
Her family consists of five members, including her husband, two daughters, and a son. Their financial situation is extremely fragile. While her husband works as a daily wage laborer to fund their children's education, she manages the household chores to keep the family afloat.
Because of their deep economic distress, she has been entirely unable to afford medical treatment for her uterine ailments. Even while enduring severe illness, she remains heavily weighed down by her household responsibilities.
Similarly, the plight of Devi (name changed), also from Siraha, is no less tragic. Her parents married her off when she was only 15. She, too, gave birth to children at an early age. For the past three years, she has been suffering from painful ulcers in her uterus.
Due to her husband's and the household's weak economic state, she has not received proper medical care. Her family consists of six members: herself, her husband, two daughters, and two sons. Her 46-year-old husband has been working abroad as a migrant laborer for the last five years. Currently, Devi's eldest daughter takes care of the housework, the youngest daughter runs a small shop alongside her mother, and the eldest son works as a daily wage laborer. This is how Devi's family survives.
With a heavy heart, Devi shared that her husband has been in a relationship with another woman for the past year, completely abandoning and neglecting her and the children. Reflecting on how she was forced into motherhood during an age meant for playing and learning, she said: "I got married at 15 and became a mother immediately. Now, I have wounds in my uterus. There is no money for treatment. My husband is living with another woman and does not look after us. Managing household expenses and raising the children has become incredibly difficult."
She believes that child marriage and premature family responsibilities are the root causes of her current misery.
These stories represent the reality of countless women trapped across our society and communities. Like them, many women today continue to suffer silently, crushed under the weight of family and social expectations. The ultimate catalyst for their suffering is being married off before reaching maturity.
These cases serve as glaring examples of how child marriage inflicts massive, long-term damage on an individual's physical and mental health.
From the National Human Rights Commission to numerous organizations fighting for the rights of women and children, advocacy against child marriage has been ongoing. Amidst this, artists—who bear the responsibility of informing and educating society through entertainment—stand completely united in their belief that child marriage is a curse upon society.
Community-focused action over paper commitments
Comedian and actor Jit Bahadur Nepal, popularly known as Jitu Nepal, emphasized that campaigns against child marriage must not remain confined to formal assemblies, seminars, and written commitments; they must directly reach the affected communities.
He suggested that the campaign would be far more effective if artists reached out to the victims and communities directly to spread awareness through plays, songs, poetry, and open dialogues. "Where the victims are, where child marriages are happening, and where people are suffering because of it—let’s go there. Let those who sing perform, let's showcase plays, and let's engage in dialogue," he stated. "I believe that would be much more impactful."
He pointed out that merely taking photos and making promises at events is not enough, stressing the need for community-centered campaigns to eradicate child marriage. "While we take photos here and make commitments, will this problem actually disappear? That is the biggest question," he told Republica.
Nepal insisted that campaigns against child marriage must prioritize the voices of the victims themselves.
Similarly, folk singer and artist Laxmi Nepali stated that if the media and public debates could amplify the experiences, emotions, poems, and stories of the victims, it would create a deeper impact on social change. "We shouldn't stand in front; we should push them forward," she said. "Society must listen to those child brides, those victims, and their poems, songs, and feelings."
Actor Nepal also expressed his willingness to participate in social awareness programs entirely free of charge. "I am ready to go anywhere for social work without charging a fee," he said. "If the organizers can just handle my travel, food, and accommodation, I will go anywhere."
No let up in child marriage: NCRC
Actress Bhima Mainali added that if artists are mobilized at the community level, highly effective campaigns can be launched against deep-rooted social evils like child marriage.
Echoes of childhood trauma
Hailing from Sindhupalchok, Nepal recalled a child marriage incident he witnessed during his own childhood that still haunts him today. He remembered a young girl in his village weeping bitterly as she was placed in a palanquin (doli) after her wedding. Unwilling to leave her parental home, the little girl tried to escape halfway down the road, only to be caught and forced back into the palanquin.
"I was someone who went as a wedding guest (janti) at that young age," he said. "Even today, remembering that scene breaks my heart."
Folk singer Radhika Hamal Pun, popularly known as Radhika Hamal, stated that child marriage should be viewed as a sensitive issue intimately tied to a child's life and future, rather than just a legal matter.
She questioned whether messages against child marriage are effectively reaching targeted communities, noting that despite the rise of technology putting a mobile phone in everyone's hands, the impact remains questionable.
Artist Shiva Shankar Rijal asserted that all sectors of society must play an active role from their respective positions to end child marriage.
He remarked that while childhood is traditionally considered a reflection of God, many girls in the past suffered immensely due to early marriage. He noted that while child marriage has decreased lately, its influence still persists in certain areas of the Madhesh and Karnali provinces. He suggested that such awareness programs must be taken to the grassroots level in collaboration with local governments.
Rijal believed that if artists, writers, journalists, and professionals from various fields raise awareness through their respective media, the campaign will yield strong results. He committed himself to standing at the forefront of building a child-marriage-free society.
"May the day come soon when the country is declared completely free of child marriage," he said. "For that, everyone needs to contribute from their own place."
The debate on legal age: 20 vs. 18
Singer and cultural activist Rupesh Jha argued that the minimum legal age for marriage must remain at 20 to successfully end child marriage.
He expressed that child marriage severely violates children's rights and damages their future, and must therefore be strongly discouraged. Stating that every boy and girl has their own rights, he emphasized the need to provide them with ample opportunities to develop their potential.
"There should be no discrimination between sons and daughters. Everyone must get equal rights," he told Republica. "Marrying before standing on one's own feet can force daughters, in particular, to face various hardships in the future."
Reacting to the ongoing government debate regarding lowering the minimum marriage age from 20 to 18 years, Jha stated that he personally disagrees with the proposal. According to him, even though young men and women seem to mature earlier these days, 18 is still not a mature enough age for marriage.
"At 18, the mental development of a daughter or a son is not fully complete. Therefore, it is my firm belief that 20 years remains the most appropriate minimum age for marriage," he said.
Jha, who is closely associated with Janakpur, shared that he has been working for the past five to six years to promote the importance of daughters, women's empowerment, and the preservation of the Maithili language and culture through music and various cultural programs. Currently, he performs regularly through devotional song performance (Bhajan Sandhya) programs as well.
Music and cinema as catalysts for change
Singer Astha Raut stated that child marriage robs children of their childhood, education, health, self-confidence, and future dreams, making it essential for all sectors to raise their voices against it.
She mentioned that an artist's role is not limited to entertainment alone; they must also contribute to creating positive change and spreading awareness. "Child marriage snatches away childhood itself. It weakens education, health, confidence, and the dream to achieve something in life," she said. "Every child must have the right to grow, learn, and freely choose their own future."
Highlighting that she has consistently raised her voice regarding women's rights, child rights, and equality through music and public forums, Raut urged every individual to speak out against child marriage within their spheres of influence.
Recalling the early phase of her musical journey, she shared that a song she sang during her childhood highlighted the discrimination faced by daughters. Referencing her popular track 'Jhumke Bulaki', she explained that the song carries a strong message about providing daughters with education, opportunities, and self-reliance on par with sons.
Raut described marriage not as a bond of confinement but as a relationship of balance, asserting that marriage is only appropriate after attaining both physical and mental maturity. "A marriage becomes successful and balanced only when a life partner is chosen at the right age, with mature thinking, and by one's own choice," she added.
Stating that a collective effort is required to end child marriage, she urged everyone to support the 'Childhood Free of Marriage' campaign from their respective positions.
Actress Shweta Khadka expressed her lifelong commitment to raising her voice against child marriage, child rights violations, and discrimination against women.
She noted that influential figures play a crucial role in driving social change. Voices raised through social media, news outlets, and the arts can leave a lasting, positive impact. "The responsibility to end child marriage doesn’t just belong to someone else—it belongs to us too. If we don’t raise our voice now, then when?" she questioned.
As a mother of a daughter herself, Khadka mentioned being highly sensitive to the future of young girls. She stated that due to harmful traditions, social pressure, and superstition, many children are still deprived of their basic rights. She recalled feeling deeply emotional when visiting various districts for campaigns and hearing the stories of children unable to go to school, young girls forced into early marriages, and women suffering due to the dowry system.
She voiced that cinema should be used as an effective tool for social messaging rather than just entertainment. Recalling her debut movie 'Kaha Bhetiyela', which portrayed the story of a young girl enduring child labor, poverty, and the pressure of early marriage, she emphasized that artists play a major role in reflecting social realities on screen.
Khadka shared that working alongside organizations dedicated to rescuing and protecting women and children has given her the chance to hear victims' stories up close. Describing the condition of young girls subjected to trafficking, violence, or exploitation at a tender age as extremely painful, she called for strict legal and social initiatives against such crimes.
She demanded that the state effectively implement policies and laws against child marriage, gender-based violence, rape, and human trafficking. "My only wish is that no child faces injustice, and every woman gets to live a free and secure life," she said.
Expressing confidence that social transformation is possible if artists, journalists, social activists, and digital influencers launch a joint campaign, Khadka committed to remaining active in these movements.
"A single voice we raise, a single song, a single movie, or a single message can transform someone's life," she told Republica. "Therefore, everyone must contribute to building a child-marriage-free society."
A call for true empowerment
Actor and director Manish Raut stated that child marriage prematurely robs girls and women of their life dreams, opportunities, and freedom, making its eradication necessary.
He compared child marriage to plucking a bud before it gets the chance to bloom into a flower. He believes that to truly understand the devastating impact of child marriage, one must look at the lives of affected men and women through their own lenses.
"Women trapped in child marriage have to live after sacrificing many of their dreams. If we could feel their pain and helplessness just once, no parent would ever allow their child to be married off early," he said.
Raut shared that he has consistently highlighted women's dreams, rights, and existence through his literary work and filmmaking. Pointing out that his story 'Janai Harayako Manchhe' raises questions about the unfulfilled dreams of mothers, he suggested that every child should ask their mother, "What was your dream?"
"Women also have the right to dream and live life on their own terms," he said. "We must stop limiting them strictly to domestic and societal obligations."
He observed that while the population and voter turnout of women in Nepal are remarkably high, their presence in leadership and policy-making levels remains insufficient. He stressed the need for greater female representation to formulate effective laws concerning women.
Raut also opposed the idea of lowering the legal age limit for marriage to curb child marriage. In his view, a woman should only make the decision to marry after she is fully educated, financially independent, and capable of making autonomous life choices.
"Women are not instruments to fulfil someone else's dreams. They must be allowed to dream their own dreams, build their own worlds, and decide their own futures," he said.
Raut concluded that structural discrimination between daughters and daughters-in-law still exists in Nepali society. He emphasized that families, communities, policymakers, and influencers must make a joint effort to foster a child-marriage-free nation.
The legal framework and reality in Nepal
The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines anyone under the age of 18 as a child. In Nepal, the 2015 Constitution included children's rights as a fundamental right. To enforce these constitutional rights, the Act Relating to Children 2018 was introduced, followed by the Children's Regulation, 2021.
Even though individuals under 18 are legally recognized as children, any marriage taking place under the age of 20 is classified as child marriage and is strictly prohibited under current Nepalese law. The government itself has implemented the National Strategy to End Child Marriage 2080 BS, aiming to eliminate the practice by 2030.
According to the 2021 census data, approximately 22 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 17, and seven percent of children aged 10 to 14, are married. Those marrying at a very young age primarily belong to underprivileged, Dalit, and marginalized communities, with a high concentration in the Terai region of the Madhesh province.
Lately, some circles have argued that lowering the legal marriage age could reduce rape cases and minimize the occurrence of child marriages. While these arguments are being floated, it remains imperative for the government and stakeholders advocating for child rights to carefully deliberate with all affected parties on whether lowering the marriage age would truly bring an end to child marriage.
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