Kalapana Maharjan: Fighting against child marriage in Nepal

World-renowned Everest climber and social activist Kalpana Maharjan has launched a campaign to prevent child marriage.

Kalpana holds a world record for being the first female journalist in the world to climb Mt. Everest from the southern side (Nepal) and also from the north (China).

 Kalpana has started her campaign from Dukuchhap, a remote village in Lalitpur.

Kalpana has reached schools and slums to spread awareness on child marriage. When Kalpana climbed Mt. Everest, she had proclaimed from the summit of Mt. Everest, a campaign to prevent child marriage.

“Danuwar” is one of the other minority castes in Nepal. According to the data of the national census 10 years ago, the number of Danuwars in the nation is 84,115. Danuwars have been living in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Kaski, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Rautahat, Makwanpur, Sarlahi and other districts of Nepal.

Child marriage and polygamy are prevalent in their society. Apart from the compelling reasons such as poverty and lack of public awareness, there is also the fact that child marriage is taking place voluntarily without the consent of the family along with the increasing use of social media.

Kalpana, a legendary Everest climber, said the campaign would be effectively carried out in the community's schools.