‘Just Rights for Children’ Unite with Nepal Government to End Child Marriage by 2030
2th Janaury, 2025
With the launch of nationwide ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ by the Government of Nepal and supported by Just Rights for Children along with Backward Society Education, parts of Kathmandu saw children, child rights activists from India and Nepal, and local people gathering for a candle march in the evening. Shouting slogans like ‘Hamru Nepal, Bal Vivah Mukt Nepal’, hundreds of people marched to end this crime in the country by 2030. Meanwhile, Just Rights for Children also outlined its strategy of prevention, protection and prosecution at ground level to generate awareness about this deeply rooted crime in the country. Working in tow with BASE and government officials, JRC which is one of the largest networks of civil society organisations across the globe, will administer pledge-taking ceremonies at scale in all the seven provinces to spread awareness about child marriage.
During the day, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, expressing solidarity with the cause, also took a pledge against child marriage and wished the campaign success. ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ was launched at an event in Kathmandu led by Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Minister, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Government of Nepal; former Chief Minister Lumbini Province and founder of Backward Society Education (BASE) Nepal Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary and JRC Founder Bhuwan Ribhu along with ministries from all the seven provinces of Nepal.
Asserting that Nepal has the potential and the determination to end this crime, Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder, Just Rights for Children, said, “Nepal has some of the world’s strongest child protection laws. Eliminating child marriage requires strict enforcement through prevention, protection, and prosecution, with pledges at scale and a partnership approach. With whole-of-society participation and whole-of-government accountability, Nepal can set a global example. The commitment shown by the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens reinforces this vision. Together, we can end child marriage, achieve SDG 5.3, and ensure every child’s right to health, education, and protection.”
Just Rights for Children is one of the world’s largest networks of civil society organizations working for the protection of children through public awareness and legal interventions. In India alone, the network has been instrumental in stopping as many as 250,000 child marriages through counselling and legal interventions. On the global front, JRC organized the “Child Marriage Free World” global pledging week from December 2 to December 8, 2024, with participation from 39 countries, including Nepal and India, spanning three continents.
Supporting the Nepal government alongside BASE, the network now aims to end this crime in Nepal through concerted efforts and a well-structured strategy.
Exuding confidence that this deeply rooted crime will be ended by 2030, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, former Chief Minister of Lumbini Province and founder of Backward Society Education (BASE) said, “Child marriage has plagued our society for centuries, but the time for change is now. We are fully committed to ending this grave crime against children once and for all. By engaging all stakeholders, we will launch comprehensive door-to-door programs, awareness campaigns, and community drives across all provinces to ensure that every citizen unites for Child Marriage Free Nepal.”
Replicating the successful strategy followed in India, the ‘Child Marriage Free Nepal’ will focus on districts and communities with a high prevalence of child marriage. It will combine youth and community awareness about Nepal’s child marriage laws with p ledge-taking ceremonies and grassroots-level engagement. The campaign will bring together various stakeholders, including government officials, lawyers, members of civil society organizations, faith leaders, parents, teachers, and children, to achieve the goal of ending child marriage by 2030.
The one-week pledge-taking events will engage schools and communities nationwide, featuring rallies, marches, and awareness activities to amplify support for the national campaign. With a key focus on prevention, the campaign aims to spread awareness about existing laws against child marriage, highlight the consequences of child marriage on a child’s well-being, and foster a sense of responsibility among citizens to end this crime.
Despite Nepal having one of the highest legal marriageable ages globally—20 years for both boys and girls—and stringent child marriage laws, the country ranks second in South Asia in the prevalence of child marriage.
Notably, on November 27, 2024, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, launched the Child Marriage Free India campaign in New Delhi, which has reached over 250 million people so far.
