The first district level girls' conference has been concluded in Beni, the district headquarters of Myagdi today by issuing an 11-point declaration.
Adolescent Conference was organized by Sangam Myagdi with the support of Girls First Fund, Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality (Gaupalika) program related to age related marriage and coordination of Vice President Program and Social Development Office. The conference has issued a declaration on education, health and safety of adolescents including reduction of child marriage, reduction of sexual violence and maintenance of menstrual hygiene.
The conference was attended by 61 representatives of Kishori Sanjal formed in 25 schools of all six local levels of Myagdi. Chairperson of Sangam Myagdi, Deepak Poudel, informed that the issue of education, health and social security has been discussed at the conference.
The declaration states that awareness will be spread at the community level about the effects and harms of getting married in adolescence.
Participants in the conference, which called for the provision of "insulators" for the disposal of pads used during menstruation in all schools, requested the local level and the school to provide restrooms. The declaration states that they will protest against the wrong practice of arranging marriage in the village of a couple who has been married for less than 20 years and will inform the police if any such information is received. They have demanded legal action against those involved in sexual abuse, violence, end of rape, guarantee of security and such incidents.
Urging to take menstruation as a natural process, they have been confined in a dark room, not allowed to go out of the house, not allowed to eat sweets, condemned superstition and stereotypes and urged to create a teen-friendly environment during menstruation. They have demanded to create an environment where the natural right to life, protection, development and participation can be easily enjoyed. Participants in the conference said that there was no support from government agencies to control child marriage, there was social pressure, they were forced to stay at home due to lack of proper school environment during menstruation and they were sexually abused.
Karuna Pariyar, chairperson of the adolescent group of Takam Mavic, said that the people's representatives and the police have been informed about the child marriage through awareness programs at school and community level through the Adolescent Network.
On the occasion, Executive Director of Sangam Myagdi Bharat KC informed about the situation of child marriage in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality (Gaupalika) as well as its impact and legal system. According to him, 463 adolescents under the age of 20 have been found in wards 2, 3, 4 and 7 of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality (Gaupalika).
On the occasion, MP Bhupendra Bahadur Thapa, Chairman of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality (Gaupalika) Thamsara Pun, Deputy Chief of Beni Municipality Sanju Baruwal, Inspector of Police Birendra Raj Gurung and others said that adolescents should be vigilant to reduce child marriage. Participants were briefed on the causes, effects and legal consequences of child marriage.
According to Chandra Prakash Budha, Education Development Officer of Sangam Myagdi, a coordination committee of the district level adolescent network has been formed with Dhanjanta Mavika Naradevi BK as the chairperson and Dhanmaya Shrestha as the member. Similarly, a district level gender liaison teacher's coordination committee has been formed with Raghuganga Mavica teacher Megha Rijal as chairperson and Khima Purja as member secretary of Child Marriage Reduction Project.
