Knowledge is Power : A Qualitative Study About Child Marriage and its Effects on Girls’ Education in Nepalgunj Municipality

Sammanfattning: The practice of child marriage is deeply rooted in the Nepali history and still occurs in today’s society, even though it is illegal. Child marriages occur frequently in the Terai region, where Nepalgunj Municipality is located. The practice has shown to affect girls’ physical and mental health, as well as their social and financial development. The study aims at investigating the practice of child marriage and its effects on girls’ education in Nepalgunj Municipality. The purpose is further to understand how women, who got married as children, and different societal actors experience the practice of child marriage in relation to girls’ education. The study acknowledges gender and social construction as a theoretical framework and applies the idea of Agenda 2030, and the associated SDGs, as the guidelines for reaching a sustainable development, where all individuals can enjoy their human rights. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather empirical material. The focus groups were carried through with women and religious leaders. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with women and different societal actors; a principal, a government representative, and an employee at Child Workers in Nepal, CWIN, in Nepalgunj. The study showed that married girls’ chances to attend school decreased after the wedding. Several factors that affect their opportunities to continue their education after marriage were identified, such as restriction and surveillance, household work and pregnancy. The society’s idea that girls are not worth investing in also affects their chances to attend school.