Watch how football is helping girls in Nepal study and avoid child marriage
Girls' education
Kalita is a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Nepal. She was finding it hard to concentrate in the classroom and her parents were planning to marry her off.
Then she discovered football. When teachers asked if any of the girls were interested in playing, she immediately volunteered. Her friends laughed and Kailita said: 鈥淭hey thought that girls shouldn't play football.鈥
Now the teenager from Solakhpu says that playing sport has 鈥渋nfluenced my education鈥. She added: 鈥淲e are more focused on our studies. My friends say I am transformed because of sport.鈥
interviewed Kalita and her parents, who are happy that she is concentrating on her studies.聽
Another Nepalse schoolgirl, Sabita, 13, said: 鈥淪port has been good for me. It has helped with my education as well as my body.鈥
She wanted to avoid the fate of her sister, who was married off while young. Now Sabita's parents want her to study hard and fulfil her potential. She added: 鈥淚f girls are educated then everyone will be educated. Society will develop.鈥
In Nepal, 94% of children enter primary education 鈥 but only 72% are still in school by grade eight 鈥 according to a . The female literacy rate in the country is only 57%, compared to 75% for men.
More news
