{"id":21573,"date":"2026-06-20T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/?p=21573"},"modified":"2026-07-13T11:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T09:01:57","slug":"better-an-education-than-a-child-marriage-in-nepal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/en\/diaconaat\/liever-een-opleiding-dan-een-kindhuwelijk-in-nepal\/","title":{"rendered":"An education is better than child marriage in Nepal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Child marriage and the payment of a dowry are deeply rooted in the culture of the Mashesh region in southern Nepal. It is believed that girls should be married off at a young age and that failing to pay a dowry brings misfortune upon a daughter and her in-laws. Because these traditions have harmful consequences, Asal Chhimekee Nepal organises awareness-raising programmes for men in the village on these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Chaudhary is attending a training course<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

During the information session, trainers explain the legal consequences and negative impact of child marriage, and how the dowry system undermines women\u2019s dignity and rights. One of the participants is 48-year-old Ghanshyam Chaudhary. He lives in Madhawaliya with his wife, two daughters, a son and five other family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debt and stress<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

He explains: \u201cWhen I got married twenty years ago, I didn\u2019t accept a dowry from my in-laws myself. But I wasn\u2019t fully aware of the legal and social consequences of the dowry system.\u201d It saddens him when he realises how many parents, despite their good intentions, fall into debt to pay a dowry, purely to ensure their daughters\u2019 happiness. He also realises that he has seen children suffer as a result of early marriages and that social pressure has caused mental distress for families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A firm promise<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"Portrait