Kailali, Oct. 25 -- year-old woman from Doti regrets that she was unable to continue her education and become financially independent.

She married before turning 17, while she was in Grade 11. She had asked her family to let her finish school before getting married, but they refused. She eventually agreed after her prospective in-laws promised to support her education. That promise was not kept.

"I thought I would continue studying after marriage. But whenever I raised the subject at home, I was scolded," she said, asking not to be named for fear of consequences.

Despite family pressure, she managed to complete Grade 12. But her difficulties did not end there. She now has two children, and with her husband unemployed, the family relies...