During a discussion held by the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee on Sunday, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak revealed that the process of amending the Children’s Act has begun. He also stated that discussions are ongoing regarding reducing the legal marriage age.
“We are considering lowering the marriage age from 20 to 18,” said Lekhak. “The amendment process of the Children’s Act is currently under review by the Council of Ministers, and we are also deliberating whether to decrease the marriage age through this amendment.”
Current Law and Arguments for Change
Nepal’s current law stipulates that individuals can only marry after reaching the age of 20. Some lawmakers argue that since individuals are considered youth at 18, adding an additional two-year restriction for marriage is impractical. However, many rights activists have expressed opposition to this proposal.
Health experts have also raised concerns, stating that allowing marriage at 18 could have serious physical and mental health consequences for adolescent girls. They argue that early pregnancies could lead to long-term negative health impacts.
“Adolescence is the most challenging phase of life as both physical and mental development are still underway,” said senior gynecologist Dr. Kritipal Subedi. “The proposal to allow marriage at 18 is not very practical. At this age, teenagers lack the capacity for decision-making, and their reproductive organs are not fully matured. Consequently, both the mother and child may suffer from health complications.”
As adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, understanding and adapting to bodily changes can be difficult. Dr. Subedi added, “At 18, most girls are not mentally prepared for motherhood.”
Health Risks of Early Pregnancy
According to experts, pregnancy at 18 poses severe health risks. “Becoming pregnant before being physically mature puts both the mother and child at risk,” said senior gynecologist Dr. Padamraj Pant. “Babies born to teenage mothers are often underweight, and their overall development may be negatively affected.”
Dr. Subedi emphasized that at 18, a girl’s uterus is not fully developed. “The skeletal structure, including the joints, has not fully matured,” he explained. “It takes at least 20 years for the reproductive system, including hormonal balance and menstruation, to fully stabilize.”
He further stated that early pregnancies increase the risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other complications. “Teenage pregnancies not only increase the risk of miscarriage but also contribute to mental health issues,” he added.
Social and Economic Consequences
Experts argue that the discussion should not be limited to sexual aspects but should also consider personal, economic, and social factors.
Early marriage can disrupt a girl’s life significantly. “They may have to discontinue their education and become entirely dependent on their husbands or families,” said medical sociologist Prof. Dr. Madhusudan Subedi from Patan Academy of Health Sciences. “This dependence restricts their reproductive rights, including decisions about childbirth and child-rearing.”
According to Dr. Subedi, children born to teenage mothers may also face adverse consequences. He believes that legalizing marriage at 18 based on the assumption that teenagers are already sexually active is not practical.
“Early marriage must be examined from personal, social, educational, and future-oriented perspectives,” he said. “It is incorrect to compare Nepal’s legal framework with Western countries, where the social structure is vastly different.”
He highlighted that teenage mothers often spend their prime working years managing household chores instead of earning an income. “They struggle to continue their studies, which negatively affects their career and financial independence,” he said.
Statistical Insights and Regional Disparities
A report from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022 showed that 14% of teenage girls (aged 15-19) become pregnant annually. If this percentage is applied to the 1.47 million teenage girls in Nepal, the estimated number of pregnant teenagers reaches 206,000.
The highest teenage pregnancy rates were recorded in Karnali Province, where 21% of girls aged 15-19 were pregnant. In Madhesh Province, the figure stood at 20%, followed by Gandaki, Koshi, and Sudurpashchim with 13% each, Lumbini with 10%, and Bagmati with 8%.
Chief of the Family Welfare Division at the Department of Health Services, Dr. Vivek Kumar Lal, stated that early menstruation does not mean a girl is ready for pregnancy.
“Nowadays, due to dietary changes, girls start menstruating as early as 8 to 10 years old. But that doesn’t mean they are biologically ready for childbirth,” Dr. Lal said. “It is concerning that some policymakers are using this argument to justify lowering the marriage age.”
He suggested that rather than encouraging early marriages, Nepal should focus on addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancies, such as lack of education, poverty, social traditions, and unemployment.
“The government should work to prevent secret child marriages rather than legalizing them,” Dr. Subedi questioned. “If we legalize marriage at 18, what will happen to the future of our youth?”
Call for Further Discussion
Dr. Lal emphasized that early marriage disrupts a girl’s opportunities for education, economic independence, and social participation. “Teenage marriage closes the doors for girls to become self-reliant and socially competitive,” he said.
He also warned that reducing the marriage age could increase gender-based violence. “Teenage girls already face the highest levels of gender violence,” he said. “Legalizing early marriage will only make the situation worse.”
According to NDHS 2022, 9% of teenage girls (aged 15-19) face pressure from their families to have children. The survey also found that only 37% of teenage girls have a say in sexual and reproductive health decisions, while 21% experience sexual abuse from their husbands or partners.
“Teenage marriage often leads to lifelong struggles,” Dr. Subedi concluded. “The government is not addressing this issue in the right way, and the current debate on reducing the marriage age seems unnecessary.”