Choden, a fifth-grader, dropped out of school after her half-brother raped her, leading to 11 years in jail. Despite giving birth to a baby, her trauma persists. A 16-year-old girl and her baby, born from sexual assault, face profound challenges in motherhood. They rely on donations, donations, and support from friends and relatives, with little access to education, income, or psychosocial care. The system often fails to protect vulnerable girl-children, leaving them to bear the burden of their own lives.
A mother in Bhutan faces financial struggles due to her stepfather’s incarceration for molesting and harassing her. Teenage pregnancy rates in Bhutan have reached alarming levels, with 77 cases reported in 2021-2024. Victims, often children themselves, bear the trauma and stigma of unwanted pregnancies. RENEW provides support and counseling to victims and their families. RENEW, a Bhutanese organization, plans to increase advocacy and outreach to rural girls, review the Child Care and Protection Act 2011, and provide follow-up services and financial assistance.