08Jun
Adolescents and Civil Society draw attention of the government on the draft bill regarding Child Marriage: “The provisions are not in the best interest of children.”
May 20 2025, Kathmandu
A civil society including adolescents’ representation, has drawn the government’s attention to provisions in the draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs to amend the National Penal Code Act 2074 regarding child marriage, claiming that they are not in the best interest of children.
Highlighting concerns over six specific provisions in the draft, the community submitted a letter of concern—along with recommendations—to the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal – NHRC, Nepal, NCRC the National Child Rights Council, and the National Women Commission.
The demands outlined in the letter include:
– Not treating all forms of marriage—such as child marriage, underage marriage, forced marriage, or self-initiated marriage—as the same, and instead ensuring clear legal definitions for each.
– Prohibiting any form of reconciliation or settlement in cases of child marriage.
– Not making pregnancy or the birth of a child grounds for granting legal recognition to a child marriage.
– Recognizing married children as victims and ensuring their protection as children in need of special care and support.
This initiative to draw the government’s attention was carried out in collaboration with several organizations, including the National Adolescent Girl’s Network, National Adolescent Boys’ Network Nepal, Care Nepal, Girls Not Brides, CWIN Nepal, Plan International Nepal, CZOP-National Campaign, WOREC, World Vision International, and Save the Children in Nepal
