In a significant step toward eradicating child marriage and underage unions, the Mahila Janachetana Kendra successfully organized a district-level workshop, seminar, and art competition in Birtamod. The event was held on Monday, Jestha 18, 2083 (1 june 2026), under the Preventing & Responding to Child Marriage and early union Project.
The program was chaired by Sita Gurung, President of Mahila Janachetana Kendra, and graced by the Chief Guest, Ekraj Karki, former minister of the Koshi Provincial Government.
Key Highlights and Dignitaries in Attendance
The event witnessed a massive and encouraging turnout of students, teachers, and child network representatives from various local units of Jhapa. A distinguished panel of guests and leaders attended the event to show their support, including:
Pabitra Devi Mahatara – Mayor, Birtamod Municipality, Meena Upreti – Deputy Mayor, Mechinagar Municipality, Shantadevi Shiwakoti – Vice-Chairperson, Bahradashi Rural Municipality, Pujan Neupane Kunwar – Vice-Chairperson, Gauriganj Rural Municipality, Basundhara Khadka – Superintendent of Police (SP) & Chief of District Police Office, Jhapa, Suman Adhikari – Provincial Coordinator, National Child Rights Council (Facilitator), Ambika Bhandari – Vice-President, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Koshi Province, Radha Subba – Representative, Mahila Mukti Abhiyan, Swastika Acharya – President, Nari Sanchar Griha, Kanchana Dhakal – Representative, ABC Nepal
Program Proceedings
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Khanjan Rajbanshi, a social mobilizer from Kachankawal representing Mahila Janachetana Kendra.
Following the welcome, the founding president of Mahila Janachetana Kendra, Radha Pradhan, shed light on the core objectives of the project, emphasizing the urgent need for collective community action to eliminate child marriage. The formal segment of the program was smoothly run and emceed by Deshikha Shiwakoti, Secretary of the Pathibhara Kishori Group.
Art Competition Winners Announced
Students from across the district showcased their creativity and advocacy through art. A total of 14 municipalities out of 15 in Jhapa (excluding Arjundhara) actively participated in the competition through their respective child club representatives.
The top spots were secured by:
First Prize: Aarti Dahal (Grade 9 student at Dhulabari Secondary School)
Second Prize: Shikha Gautam (Student at Manakamana College, Bhadrapur)
Third Prize: Anmol Karki (Student at Everest Smart School, Bhadrapur-10)
Mahila Janachetana Kendra, Mechinagar-6, Kakarbhitta, expresses its deepest gratitude to all the local government representatives, police administration, journalists, social activists, teachers, and energetic youth participants. Your enthusiastic participation is what made this district-level workshop a grand success. Together, we move one step closer to a child-marriage-free society.
