Kathmandu: The government is considering two potential changes to the legal marriage age as part of an amendment to the Child Act, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said on Sunday.
During a discussion in the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives, Minister Lekhak stated that the Cabinet is reviewing an amendment bill that could either lower the marriage age to 18 or introduce the ‘Romeo-Juliet’ model.
The proposed model would permit consensual physical relationships between individuals aged 16 to 18 without being classified as statutory rape, provided certain conditions are met.
Lekhak cited international references for both approaches but stressed the need for careful deliberation before any decision is made. He urged lawmakers to provide further input on the matter.