In small communities in Nepal, marrying out of romance rarely happens. But for Ram Kumar and Kaushalya Devi, it did. The couple fell in love and married as teenagers; they now live in a small village 160 miles from Kathmandu.

Early marriage is very common in Nepal—girls marry at an average age of 16, and half bear at least one child by age 20. Soon after the birth of their son, Rahul, Ram and Kaushalya attended a general orientation for young married couples conducted by the ACQUIRE Project, which was managed by EngenderHealth with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Ram and Kaushalya met with other young married couples from the community to discuss gender roles, the importance of women’s education and health, and how to plan a family. Inspired by the discussions, Ram and Kaushalya decided to get more involved.

“Before, we knew nothing about family planning or sexually transmitted infections,” Ram said. “Now we go to monthly meetings at our health clinic, where we discuss reproductive health issues, problems, and solutions with health workers and our peers.”

After participating in intensive training, the couple began to lead frank discussions with other young couples about sexuality, family planning, and the potential hazards of early pregnancy. “Most young people find it easier to discuss sexuality with someone their own age,” Ram said. “They are at risk of sexually transmitted infections, and married adolescents are frequently expected to have children early. So they need counseling and services designed just for them.”

Peer-to-peer conversations also help young people contend with the pressures of a traditional society, empowering them to make informed decisions.

Ram and Kaushalya encourage their peers to seek reproductive health services at local health care facilities. Providers at these facilities are trained by EngenderHealth to offer quality, youth-friendly services. Provider training includes learning about common issues faced by adolescents (such as pressures to use drugs or have sex), the use of role-playing exercises in teaching young people negotiating skills (such as saying “no”), and the need to keep service costs low or free for young clients.

As a result of these efforts, health care providers, parents, and other members of the community have become more sensitive to the feelings and needs of young people, Ram said. More people also understand the negative impacts of child marriage.

Their work as peer counselors has helped Ram and Kaushalya make thoughtful choices about their own future. With Ram’s support, Kaushalya has finished high school and hopes that her children will eventually complete university. “We have decided that we only want to have two children, so we can make sure they are healthy and educated,” Kaushalya said.