News

Trailblazing all-girl cricket tournament calls for bowling out child marriage

calendar_today14 November 2017

Gudiya Chaudhary traveled 35 km to participate in the tournament, which was the first of its kind in the district. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri
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Slideshow

Trailblazing cricket tournament advocates an end to child marriage

calendar_today14 November 2017

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A trailblazing all-girl cricket tournament in Tulihawa, Nepal, helped reach some 1,500 people with messages about ending child marriage and promoting girls’ equality. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

The matches were announced by local celebrity cricket commenter Nischal Shrivastav: “The theme of this match is bowling out child marriage and violence against women and girls,” he said. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

Girls in Kapilvastu District face entrenched inequalities. “Unlike boys, girls have to look after their families and do all the work,” said 18-year-old player Shova Yadav. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

Child marriage is widely practiced in the district. Prem Sheela Mali, 12, said she hopes the tournament will “change traditional notions towards girls, that they are family burdens and should be married off at an early age.” © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

Some 56 girls came to the district capital to play in the tournament and call for an end to child marriage.

Some of the girls were themselves child brides. Usha Yadav, 18, was ceremonially married five years ago, before even meeting her husband. To this day, she says, “I’ve not seen my husband and have never been to his home.” © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

“If we are provided opportunities to play the games we like and to continue our studies up to the level we want, I think child marriage will disappear like a ghost,” said Prem Sheela Pasi, 18. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

News

In Cambodia, push to end maternal deaths in remote areas

calendar_today08 November 2017

Romam Pchuek reaches out to pregnant women in Ratanakiri, encouraging them to seek appropriate care. © UNFPA/ Matthew Taylor
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News

A secret pregnancy in the Comoros: One teen’s story

calendar_today07 November 2017

UNFPA works with youth groups to provide sexual and reproductive health information and services. A UNFPA-supported HIV screening for young people in Moroni. © UNFPA Comoros
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News

Gender inequality, lack of information fuel teen pregnancies in Timor-Leste

calendar_today23 October 2017

Natalia dropped out of school after becoming pregnant. © UNFPA/Ruth Carr
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News

From child bride to beauty expert: one Jordanian woman’s story

calendar_today19 October 2017

Child marriage rates are rising in Jordan, according to a recent report. © UNFPA Jordan/ Elspeth Dehnert
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News

Ten actions for a more equal world

calendar_today16 October 2017

Around the world, vast inequalities have trapped people in a cycle of poverty and marginalization. © Andrea Bruce/Noor
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State of World Population 2017

Publisher

UNFPA

Publication date

Oct 2017

Author

UNFPA

Number of pages

140

State of World Population

State of World Population 2017

Worlds Apart - Reproductive health and rights in an age of inequality

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Job description

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About UNFPA

We promote gender equality and empower women, girls and young people to take control of their bodies and their futures.

Learn more

News

Girls speak out on inequality

calendar_today11 October 2017

What does gender inequality look like? These five girls can tell you. Illustration by Bodil Jane for UNFPA.
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