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Campaign to create child marriage-free districts by 2009 launched

Save the Children (SC) launched a one-year Campaign against Child Marriage to mark the annual "World Day of Action against Violence" at a function in Surkhet Monday.

"Child marriage is a direct violation of child rights and human rights which leads to children, especially girls, becoming more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The practice is highly prevalent in South Asia where one in three girls get married before the age of 18," said a press release issued by Save the Children on the occasion.

Studies show that an estimated 34% of total marriages held in the country are of children below 15 years of age.

The release further said child marriage has had adverse impact in the lives of both boys and girls, "but its impact is far more severe on girls".

Health problems, unwanted pregnancies and deprivation of education are some of the key issues faced by such children.

The organisation working in child welfare sector said that child marriage is one of the contributing factors for high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Nepal.

So the Campaign against Child Marriage, according to SC, aims to declare two districts selected under the campaign as child marriage-free districts by the end of 2009.

For the purpose SC will work with the Village Child Protection Committee as the focal body to coordinate campaign activities.

"The campaign will include mass sensitisation and media mobilisation activities to change the mindset of decision makers at village level regarding marriage of children such as parents, community leaders, and religious leaders and, sometimes, children themselves," the release added.

The CDO of Surkhet Bal Dev Prasad Bhatta said that the campaign was going to be a challenge not just for SC but for the administration as well because the concept and practice of child marriage has acceptance from society.

CDO Bhatta's concerns were echoed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Govinda Kumar Shah who questioned the role of the police in such circumstances. He argued that it would be difficult for the police to intervene when there was acceptance within the society. nepalnews.com ag Oct 20 08