Married at 14, a young mother in Nepal now has nowhere to go
Summary
A 19-year-old mother in rural Achham says she faces abuse, family pressure and little support after marrying at 14 and giving birth to two daughters. Local health officials warn that hundreds of adolescent pregnancies and stillbirths in the district highlight the risks faced by girls who marry early.
Key Points
- Naina married at 14 and now faces pressure from her husband’s family to end the marriage, with little support from either side of her family.
- She says police twice sent her home after abuse complaints by asking the couple to sign reconciliation agreements.
- In rural Achham, early marriage often leads to girls leaving school, early pregnancy, violence and limited control over their futures.
- District health data show 3,005 pregnancies among girls under 20 and 362 stillbirths over six fiscal years, with most stillbirths involving mothers under 20.
