Background
Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage, yet for many girls in Nepal, it is filled with significant risks. The linked issues of early marriage and teenage pregnancy threaten their health, education, and future opportunities. Although child marriage is decreasing, it remains one of the most common practices in Asia. National data highlights a stark gender gap: 21% of girls aged 15–19 are married, compared to only 5% of boys the same age group. Furthermore, data show that 22.7% of all young people aged 20-24 were married before their 18th birthday, with rates noticeably higher among females.
The widespread occurrence of child marriage is closely connected to educational outcomes. Girls who marry early are much more likely to leave school, with studies showing that married adolescent girls in Nepal are ten times more likely to drop out than their unmarried peers. This limits their potential for personal growth and economic independence. A lack of safe, inclusive, and disaster-resilient school environments can further push girls out of the education system, leaving them more susceptible to harmful practices. This educational gap has long-term consequences, creating barriers to securing decent, gender-responsive employment and reinforcing intergenerational cycles of poverty, as girls are left uneducated and unskilled for the labor market.Beyond the school gates, vulnerabilities are worsened by deficiencies in family and community protective systems. Insufficient gender-responsive parenting can sustain harmful norms, and societal acceptance of violent discipline remains prevalent, with more than 80% of children experiencing it during their upbringing homes. When community-based child protection mechanisms are underfunded or not fully operational, children, particularly girls, lack sufficient support or options. This situation fosters an environment where violence and exploitation can happen without consequence, obstructing a child’s right to safety and proper care environment. Deeply ingrained social norms further restrict girls’ agency and control over their bodies. Harmful and discriminatory practices, like restrictions and taboos around menstruation, are common; studies indicate that over 84% of women in Nepal face some form of menstrual restriction. These practices negatively impact girls’ health and hygiene, limit their participation in daily activities, and undermine their self-confidence. This lack of empowerment directly influences their health-seeking behaviours, making them less likely to access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services when they lack the ability to make informed decisions. Barriers such as social stigma and a shortage of youth-friendly facilities also prevent adolescents from obtaining the SRH care they need, despite having knowledge of available services high. Addressing these linked challenges in education, protection, and personal empowerment is essential for achieving lasting change for girls and young women in Nepal.
Study area: Two municipalities of Kanchanpur District, Bhimdatta Municipality and Dodhara Chandani Municipality, within the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.
Team: Dr. Janak Thapa, Team leader, Ms. Pragya Pokharel, Research expert and Mr. Sushhant Luitel
Duration: November 2025 to February 2026