Bardibas-7 Declared Child Marriage-Free Ward
Under the main slogan “Ending child marriage, the path to a prosperous society,” Bardibas Municipality–7 has been declared a child marriage-free ward. The declaration was made at the “Declaration Assembly–2082” held in the premises of Shiv Temple at Premnagar within the ward, where a joint commitment letter was made public with collective signatures.
Rising Number of Child Marriage-Free Wards in Bardibas
Bardibas Municipality has 14 wards in total, and with this latest declaration, the number of wards declared child marriage-free has reached 11.
Addressing the declaration assembly, which continued until Sunday evening, Mayor Prahlad Kshetri described child marriage as a legal crime, a social curse, and a violation of child rights. He stated that the goal is to declare Bardibas as the first child marriage-free municipality in Mahottari.
Mayor Kshetri said, “It is not enough to simply declare that an area is free from child marriage. For the future of their children, society and families must be strict against child marriage.”
Challenges of Eliminating Deep-Rooted Child Marriage
Deputy Mayor Tara Devi Mahato stated that eliminating child marriage, which has deep roots in society, remains a challenging task. However, she added that the active efforts and achievements demonstrated by Bardibas–7 have become a source of inspiration for other wards as well.
Survey Findings and Start of the Campaign
According to Ward Chairperson Ramsogarath Yadav Bhoril of Ward No. 7, this ward has a population of 3,458, including indigenous (Adivasi), Janajati, Dalit, and other groups.
A survey conducted two years ago showed that the child marriage rate in the ward was 50 percent.
After the survey revealed a dire and challenging situation in the ward, an awareness campaign against child marriage was launched under the leadership of Ward Chairperson Bhoril.
Role of Ward Child Committees and Child Clubs
Ward Chairperson Bhoril said, “Due to the street dramas, door-to-door orientations, legal awareness, and social pressure carried out by the ‘Ward Child Committees’ formed in four settlements of the ward and in three schools, as well as by the child clubs, the campaign gradually became effective.”
The campaign received support from organisations such as Save the Children and the Community Development Advocacy Forum. Under the coordination of Ward Member Ramshankar Kapar, the “Influential Committee” began to have an impact on families and the community. Ward police, the health post, civil society, and mothers’ groups also became involved in the programme.
Second Survey and Basis for Declaration
After one and a half years, when the ward and partner organisations conducted a second survey, it showed that the child marriage rate had fallen to around 92 percent. On that basis, the ward was declared child marriage-free, according to Ward Chairperson Bhoril.
He said, “This achievement is like a victory celebration for the residents of the ward. The campaign is continuing to bring the remaining 8 percent down to zero.”
Indicators and Criteria for Declaration
According to Sushma Thapa, Head of the Municipal Women’s Section, a ward must achieve more than 90 percent scores on 13 prescribed indicators in order to be declared child marriage-free.
The latest survey showed that Bardibas–7 had met all these standards, and on that basis, it was declared a “child marriage-free ward.”
Policy Commitment and Future Support
Addressing the declaration assembly, Chief Administrative Officer Rammani Adhikari stated that the municipality has advanced the elimination of child marriage as a policy priority and called on all sections of society to cooperate and work together to make this endeavour successful.
Campaigner Som Bahadur Karki from the Community Development Advocacy Forum recalled that the legal provision that no one may marry before the age of 20 is also linked to international commitments. He stated that continuous collaboration will be maintained to make the remaining three wards of the municipality child marriage-free as well.
Key Things to Know
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Bardibas Municipality–7 has been officially declared a child marriage-free ward under the slogan “Ending child marriage, the path to a prosperous society.”
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A survey two years ago showed a 50% child marriage rate; after intensive awareness campaigns, a second survey found the rate had dropped to around 8%.
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The campaign involved ward child committees, child clubs, street dramas, door-to-door orientations, legal awareness, and social pressure, with support from organisations like Save the Children and the Community Development Advocacy Forum.
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The ward met more than 90% of the 13 official indicators required to be recognised as child marriage-free, as confirmed by the Municipal Women’s Section.
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Municipal leaders have treated child marriage elimination as a policy priority and called for continued cooperation to reduce the remaining cases to zero and extend the achievement to all wards of Bardibas.
