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By Deepesh Paul Thakur and Pratigya R. Khaling
The district of Jumla, though economically very poor, is a magnificent small place, surrounded by crystal-clear watered Karnali Lake, ringed with pine spruce and juniper forests and snow capped Himalayan peaks. It is not only poverty that prevents many children from achieving their full potential in this isolated environment – local and time-honoured traditions can conflict with human rights, with children bearing the brunt.
One such tradition is “Chotti”, a a traditional approach to finding one’s life partner. This courtship ritual practised among adults in most of the villages of Jumla has over recent years increasingly involved children.
Chotti begins by meeting in a common place, singing songs, exploring and expressing ones feelings and getting to know one another. However, it also provides an opportunity for further intimacy, secret meetings and sex between children, particularly harmful for the reputation and opportunities of girls who take part. A clear trend of unplanned pregnancies in young teenagers is increasing child marriage and school dropout rates.
“I know about this but I do not register these marriages in my office, I only register marriages where both the girl and boy are of legitimate age. I cannot do anything about it, if it is the wish of the parents,” says Nain Singh Kathayat, Secretary, Jumla Village Development Office.
Chotti tradition not only leads to early marriage, it also is a serious threat for HIV and AIDS infection. Deepak Kumar Shah, Community Development Facilitator, Jumla Area Development Programme (ADP) says, “The unsafe sex practiced during Chotti results in the emergence of many sexually transmitted diseases.”
World Vision is undertaking various development efforts to uplift the wellbeing of deprived children and communities of Jumla. Through their child club initiative, WVIN Jumla ADP’s many development activities are designed to help children and communities be aware of the social issues that hold them back. WVIN Jumla ADP considers the Chotti tradition a major child protection issue, and reducing it should be a priority in every child club they support.
Jumla ADP has been supporting the National Children’s Congress Project in Jumla for the last two years. Its goal is to empower children to raise their voice in development activities and social policies affecting them. This has been a true blessing to many potential victims of early marriage because of their Chotti choices.
Deepak adds, “The NCC project has helped children understand the negativities of Chotti and other social issues that affect them. Now, children themselves can be vocal about Chotti and other traditions in their communities. “
The children’s clubs, alongside World Vision staff, raise awareness through street dramas, personal counselling to parents, dialogue and discussion with village development committees. As a result Chotti is starting to disappear.
Prem Sunwar 12, the president of World Vision supported Patmara Child Club, Jumla says, “Chotti is almost abolished in our village. The street dramas that we perform on Chotti have been able to raise awareness in our communities. If there is a case found where parents encourage children to play Chotti then, we child club members visit their home and discuss the issue with them.”
Early marriage has always been a common practice in most of the remote places through out Nepal. In Nepal, the legal age for a girl to be married is 16 and a half. In most countries, this would be considered a child marriage. However, traditions like Chotti, and the low value placed on girls in Nepal, mean that many girls marry illegally and far younger.
Chotti may have reduced in many of the villages of Jumla; however, it is still prevalent in many of the remote places in Nepal. Supporting children’s life education and empowerment through children’s clubs is one part of the solution, but much more is required. Communities, authorities, parents and the children themselves need to recognise the boundaries between childhood and adulthood, and the importance of education not just for reading and writing, but for vital knowledge needed to make decisions and stay in control of one’s own destiny.
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