On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Kathmandu, Nepal, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA and NCELL Foundation, organized a high-impact event at the Himalaya Hotel in Lalitpur to mark the opening of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event brought together around 110 participants, including representatives from government, UN agencies, civil society, bilateral networks, corporate sectors, banks and Zontians. Speakers included Dipak Dhakal, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens; Jee Hyun Rah, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Nepal; Bishakha Lakshmi Khadka of NCELL; and Zonta Club of Kathmandu President Bina Rana. They emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to address child marriage, which remains a significant barrier to gender equality in Nepal.

A panel discussion explored the role of women-led organizations and the private sector in addressing child marriage, fostering a productive dialogue on multi-sector solutions. The event also launched Shir Mai Phurke Ribbon, a music video produced by UNFPA and UNICEF to raise awareness of the consequences of child marriage among young people.

Additionally, the club unveiled an informative booklet on legal provisions related to child marriage, domestic violence and women’s rights. Compiled by a team of 17 women advocates and produced with support from NCELL Foundation and UNICEF, 1,500 copies of the booklet in both Nepali and English were distributed at the event.

The event raised significant awareness on child marriage, a pervasive issue in Nepal where 21% of women aged 15–19 are married, compared to only 5% of men in the same age group (Nepal DHS 2022). Zonta’s initiative highlighted the need for collaboration between government bodies, private entities, and civil society to prevent child marriage and its impact on young girls.