Lalitpur, February 17, 2026 - The national “Child Marriage Free Nepal: 100-Day Campaign” has formally concluded, reinforcing Nepal’s commitment to eliminate child marriage by 2030. The campaign was jointly led by Just Rights for Children in Nepal (JRCN) and the National Child Rights Council (NCRC), marking a renewed push toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
The campaign closing event was organized in Lalitpur in collaboration with the National Child Rights Council. Launched as part of the broader Child Marriage Free Nepal (CMFN) initiative that began in 2024, the campaign aligns with Nepal’s national strategy and action plan to end child marriage and supports the government’s commitment to eliminate the practice by 2030 (mid-2087 B.S.).
Nationwide Reach and Multi-Level Engagement
According to campaign organizers, the 100-day initiative directly reached 84,996 individuals across 89 local levels by 15 Falgun 2082. The outreach included:
241 school-based programs
95 community discussion sessions
17 dialogue programs with religious leaders and community leaders
Thousands of individuals publicly pledged to prevent child marriage during the campaign period. The initiative mobilized civil society organizations, schools, youth networks, child clubs, religious leaders, and community groups at federal, provincial, and local levels. Campaign materials and communication resources were distributed locally to promote awareness and strengthen national ownership.
Government and Stakeholder Participation
The closing ceremony, held in Lalitpur, was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, representatives from the National Child Rights Council, development partners, youth representatives, partner organizations from all seven provinces, and individuals affected by child marriage.
During the program, achievements and lessons learned from the campaign were presented. Participants reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration between government institutions and civil society to ensure effective implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan to End Child Marriage.
The event was conducted under the chief guestship of the Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens. Stakeholders emphasized that the program serves not only as a review of progress made so far but also as a shared platform to strengthen intergovernmental coordination and accountability mechanisms toward ending child marriage by 2030.
Sustaining Momentum Beyond the Campaign
While the 100-day campaign has concluded, organizers stressed that the broader mission continues. The Child Marriage Free Nepal initiative, active since 2024, remains a key national effort supporting Nepal’s international and domestic commitments.
Ending child marriage remains critical for safeguarding children’s rights, advancing gender equality, improving educational outcomes, and promoting sustainable social development. The campaign’s conclusion signals not an end, but a renewed phase of coordinated action aimed at ensuring that every child in Nepal can grow, learn, and thrive free from early and forced marriage.
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