‘Little Sisters’ participate in an activity during a group meeting in Surkhet, Nepal September 12, 2019. ― Thomson Reuters Foundation pic
That’s when Big Sister Krishna Paudel rode to her rescue, snatching her from a potential life of illiteracy, poverty and ill health: Common fallout of so many child marriages in Nepal. This drives a vicious cycle of ill health, malnutrition and ignorance, since a child bride is more likely to leave school and experience problems in pregnancy or birth, say campaigners.Nepal has the third highest child marriage prevalence in South Asia, according to the United Nations.
“I can save their lives,” she said, wearing the Big Sisters’ uniform of pink tunic and black pleated trousers.But the crime remains widespread, said Khagendra Bahadur Ruchal, an administrative official at Surkhet district.