Despite numerous efforts to minimize child marriage, the practice continues to persist in Bardiya. The law defines marriage under the age of 20 as child marriage. However, data from the Bardiya Health Office over the past three years reveal no significant reduction in its occurrence. The number of women giving birth, undergoing prenatal check-ups, using family planning methods, and seeking abortions before the age of 20 clearly indicates that child marriage remanis a persistent issue in the district.
According to the Bardiya Health Office, 285 women gave birth in the fiscal year 2024/2025. Similarly, 669 underwent their first pregnancy check-up, 212 used family planning methods, and 90 underwent abortions. In addition, five cases of emergency contraception were recorded, as per Kumari Shrestha, Public Health Nursing Officer and Information Officer at the Health Office. Similarly, in the fiscal year 2023/2024, 489 women gave birth, 775 underwent their first pregnancy check-up, 321 used family planning methods, and 82 had abortions. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, there were 574 women under the age of 20 who gave birth, 888 who underwent their first pregnancy check-up, 487 who used family planning methods, and 59 who had abortions.
Dr. Krishna Khanal, Medical Superintendent and Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Rajapur Primary Health Center, stated that women who marry at an early age often experience various health problems. He explained that when the reproductive organs are not fully developed, it can result in poor fetal growth, miscarriage, prolonged labor, fistula, excessive bleeding during childbirth, and even the death of the mother or baby. He added that in some cases, surgery becomes necessary, and certain women may also experience psychological issues.
Prakash Poudel