Bibek, providing education on sexual and reproductive health rights and gender equality in schools, using music and dance to involve and inspire young people.

Bibek

Earlier I used to hesitate to dream small dreams, but now I can dream big and I have the confidence to fulfill them.

Bibek, a young campaigner from Nepal, grew up in a rural village in Sunsari, a district in the south east of Nepal. 40% percent of women aged 20–24 in Nepal were married under the age of 18 according to the UNFPA. In Sunsari the situation was bleak, with many children being married before the age of 10.

[But] even though it was such a huge issue in Sunsari it was still not being addressed.

With the assistance of Restless Development, Bibek began a campaign to end child marriage, working with the local schools and leaders to deliver sessions on gender equality and encourage other local organizations to back the campaign.

When we started this campaign none of the organisations were working towards this.

However, together with local leaders, Bibek collected vital data on child marriage in his village and the wider region.

The [local leaders] were amazed by our findings and from then on really committed to this campaign… The biggest achievement of the program is that we have been able to declare Chandbela Village of Sunsari District child marriage free.

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