Pokhara, 4 August । A recent report from the Provincial Public Health Office in Syangja has revealed a high prevalence of underage marriages in the district. According to data from the fiscal year 2081/082, out of 2,559 women who sought antenatal care, 210, or 8.20%, were under the age of 20. This is despite the legal marriage age being 20 in Nepal. The statistics highlight a significant issue of child marriage, which is prohibited by law.
Public Health Administrator Keshav Chapagain stated that a considerable number of young women are also availing of maternity services. Out of the 882 women who received safe delivery services, 109 (12.35%) were under 20. Furthermore, among the 924 women who underwent safe abortions, 43 (4.35%) were also in the same age group. This data indicates that a large number of women are not only marrying early but are also becoming mothers at a young age, which poses significant physical and mental health risks.
Chapagain also noted a discrepancy in the data, as 753 women who had their antenatal check-ups in Syangja did not have their delivery or abortion procedures recorded in the district. It is suspected that these women may have sought services in neighboring districts like Palpa, Gulmi, or Pokhara for better facilities or to maintain privacy. The district currently offers safe delivery and abortion services through a network of 121 health institutions, including a district hospital, six local hospitals, two primary health centers, and numerous health posts. The high numbers of underage pregnancies and abortions underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of child marriage and promote maternal health awareness in the region.
