Although the law requires marriage only after the age of 20, in the Himalayan district of Humla, the number of teenage girls becoming mothers before 20 has been increasing. Despite strong voices against child marriage in recent years, the practice of marrying between the ages of 15 and 19 has not stopped, leading to a rise in underage mothers. Harka Budha, coordinator of Melchham Health Post in Chankheli Rural Municipality–6, said that the number of teenage girls becoming mothers before reaching the legal age has been increasing in health institutions. Stating that underage pregnant women are brought to the maternity home once every two months to give birth, he said that the number has risen in recent times.
Although the law prohibits child marriage, in practice the situation remains much the same, he added. Similarly, Dhanraj Dhakal, coordinator of the health branch of Tanjakot Rural Municipality, said that since the custom of marrying underage girls has not stopped, the number of teenage pregnancies has not decreased. Just a month ago, the health institution had to deliver babies of 17- and 19-year-old girls, coordinator Dhakal informed. He further said that although four to five underage women give birth in health institutions within his rural municipality every year, most teenage girls still give birth at home.
Senior Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Sarita Bohara at the Health Service Office said that 15 to 20 pregnant women are brought annually to the maternity home of the district hospital for delivery. Stating that this is only the number of that hospital, she said the situation looks more serious if the figures from across the district are added. She added that even schoolgirls studying in grades nine and ten are marrying early and giving birth.
She explained that delivering underage pregnant women is often difficult, and the problem is worsening because legal procedures against child marriage are not being advanced.
Inspector Jung Bahadur Singh said that since cases of child marriage are not being reported to the police, it has become difficult to take legal action.
Nanda Singh