Madhesh Society Welfare Center (MSWC)

The Madeshi community of Nepal is a non-Nepali speaking community that has continued to protest the democratic process in Nepal. The community remains poor and women are particularly vulnerable. The patriarchal system is characterized by early and forced marriages for girls and women continuing to face high levels of violence, especially in relation to the dowry system.

Madhesh Society Welfare Center (MSWC) is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization registered in Janakpur in Nepal. It works to improve the social, cultural and economic lives of rural and marginalized communities including Janjatis and Dalits in the district.

MSWC has submitted a proposal to contribute to resolving the problem of child marriage and the dowry system. The initiative will support a dialogue on the negative impacts of early marriages and the dowry system that will engage male religious leaders, women and youth in the community. They will also run a campaign in the district including radio shows, exhibitions and public events.