Biratnagar, August 24

Province 1 took a positive step to make the province child marriage free and girl child-friendly by sealing an 11-point deal related to child marriage and rights of minor girls.

Minister of Social Development Jivan Ghimire said his ministry had taken the initiative for the same.

A girls’ conference recently held in Biratnagar had made public a declaration on child marriage and girls’ rights. The conference was organised at Birendra Sabhagrigha in support of World Vision, Women Development Union and Human Rights Forum.

The declaration paper includes points such as marking Bhadra 1 as the day against child marriage, working to end child marriage and gender-based violence, making Province 1 child marriage free zone by 2025, ending discrimination and violence against girls, among others.

Minister Ghimire said the province government was committed to all the points of the declaration.

World Vision Morang Programme Coordinator Pranil Adhikari said the province government’s decision to bring out a programme meant for girls’ rights was positive step ahead.