Sumeena Shreshta Balami, 15, leaves her home to meet her groom, Prakash Balami, 16, in Kagati Village, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal on Jan. 24, 2007. The harmful traditional practice of early marriage is common in Nepal. The Kagati village, a Newar community, is most well known for its propensity towards this practice. Many Hindu families believe blessings will come upon them if marry off their girls before their first menstruation.
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