Peer-reviewed article
Child Marriage in Tarai Region of Nepal
Leelawati Yadav ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines child marriage in Dhanusha District in the Tarai region of Nepal, focusing on its causes and consequences. The research found that child marriage is a socially constructed phenomenon linked to dowry practices, with lower rates of dowry demanded for child marriages compared to marriages involving higher education. Violence against women and girls increases as a consequence of early marriage and dowry practices. The study calls for quality education, government monitoring, and stronger policies to reduce child marriage and violence in the region.
Key points
- Child marriage occurs across caste groups in rural Tarai but is more prevalent among lower-caste communities (Dalits) and some higher castes (Yadav, Sah, Brahman)
- Child marriage is presented as a socially constructed practice rather than a biological necessity
- Lower dowry is demanded for child marriages, while higher education of brides increases dowry demands
- Violence against women and girls increases as a consequence of early marriage and dowry practices
- The study recommends quality education for both sons and daughters, government monitoring, and stronger policies
Limitations
The study is limited to one municipality (Dhanushadham) in Dhanusha District and uses qualitative methods with purposive sampling, which limits generalizability to the broader Tarai region or Nepal. The document does not provide specific quantitative data on prevalence rates or detailed outcome measures.
Abstract
This article is on the causes and consequences of child marriage in Dhanushadham Municipality of Dhanusha District that is in provision-2, Tarai Region of Nepal. Child marriage is not a new phenomenon in Nepal. The problem of child marrige was seen in Tarai region of Nepal, especially it was seen in rural area among lower caste people like; Dalits(Mushahar, Chamar & Dom) and also in some higher caste like;Yadav, Sah and Brhaman. My argument in this article is; Child marriage is socially constructed , although the scenary has some changed that youths have been found responsible for doing early marriage for the self sufficient of sexual relation. This study relies on qualitative disscussion and researcher applied purposive sampling method for collecting details information on both primary as well secondary data. Findings of the study show that marriage is not a biological event like birth or death; rather it is a social event that is determined by the society. One of the major factors for child marriage is dowry practice in Tarai that badly affected life of girls and women violence has increased due to early marriage and dowry practice. It highly shows that less dowry demand in child marriage and it incase of higher education demand high dowry. Furthermore, the study requires further study in whole province-2 and awareness among people. It highly demands to give quality and higher education for both son & daughter for ending child marriage and dowry practices. Government need to effective monitoring and strong rules and policies to decrease women violence in Tarai.