Different awareness related programmes were organised to mark the International Day of Girl Child since October 21 across the country. Programmes were organised to raise awareness on the child rights, advocate for the implementation of laws that prohibit and prevent child, early and forced marriages.

The statistics show that Nepal stands third in south Asian countries in terms of child marriage. As per the Nepal's legal provisions, persons reaching 20 years are considered marriageable.

Moreover, still 29 per cent marriages are recorded as the early and enforced marriages. Although Nepal adopted the National Strategic Plan last year has aimed at eradicating early marriage by 2030, its materialization process is yet to begin.

Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare annually organizes such awareness programmes across the country, said Under Secretary at the Ministry Kiran Rupakheti.

He shared that International Girls' Day is marked on October 11 across the globe but Nepal marked it on October 21 due to Dashain festival. RSS