UNB, Dhaka :
Describing media people as the vehicles of change, speakers at a discussion here on Wednesday said all need to work together to spread the message for the young girls that get educated first instead of getting married early to help bring an end to child, early and forced marriages (CEFMs) in Bangladesh.
The speakers laid emphasis on through investigation at the grassroots level and come up with evidence over the matter to spread the campaign countrywide.
Women Journalists Network, Bangladesh (WJNB) arranged the event, titled ‘Media’s Role to Combat Child and Early Forced Marriage (CEFM), at the Jatiya Press Club.
State Minister for Children and Women Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, acting Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Christian Tardif, UNFPA Representative Bangladesh Argentina Matavel Piccin, Country Representative, UN Women Christine Hunter, Deputy Representative, Unicef Louise Mvono,
Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shaymal Dutta, Joint Secretary of the Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin and Program Coordinator Angur Nahar Monty, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Prothom Alo senior reporter Monsura Hossain presented the keynote paper at the discussion narrating her personal experiences.
Speaking as the chief guest, Meher Afroz said Bangladesh has many achievements, but it has some challenges, too. “Child, early and forced marriages are among the many challenges. The existing law is very old and it has some weaknesses, too.”
She said, the new law about the child marriage prevention will be finalised considering all the facts and expressed her hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will help take the right decision.
“I’m happy to see there has been long debate much ahead of the law formulation. I see this debate positively. This debate will help know the law in a better way and it’ll help a lot in implementing the new law very effectively,” said the State Minister hoping that the media will continue to play its role.
Christian Tardif said accurate information and responsible journalism are key to educating the public and stakeholders about the benefits of ending CEFMs, which include stronger and healthier communities.
“You (media) can be vehicles of change and help spread the message for the young girls. Get educated, not married, just yet,” he said.
The diplomat said, Canada announced it would provide new funding for projects in six countries on CEFMs, including a US$ 1.5-million one with Plan Canada in Bangladesh focusing on empowering girls, mobilising communities and building and sharing evidence that supports delaying the age of marriage.
Describing media people as the vehicles of change, speakers at a discussion here on Wednesday said all need to work together to spread the message for the young girls that get educated first instead of getting married early to help bring an end to child, early and forced marriages (CEFMs) in Bangladesh.
The speakers laid emphasis on through investigation at the grassroots level and come up with evidence over the matter to spread the campaign countrywide.
Women Journalists Network, Bangladesh (WJNB) arranged the event, titled ‘Media’s Role to Combat Child and Early Forced Marriage (CEFM), at the Jatiya Press Club.
State Minister for Children and Women Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, acting Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Christian Tardif, UNFPA Representative Bangladesh Argentina Matavel Piccin, Country Representative, UN Women Christine Hunter, Deputy Representative, Unicef Louise Mvono,
Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shaymal Dutta, Joint Secretary of the Jatiya Press Club Farida Yasmin and Program Coordinator Angur Nahar Monty, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Prothom Alo senior reporter Monsura Hossain presented the keynote paper at the discussion narrating her personal experiences.
Speaking as the chief guest, Meher Afroz said Bangladesh has many achievements, but it has some challenges, too. “Child, early and forced marriages are among the many challenges. The existing law is very old and it has some weaknesses, too.”
She said, the new law about the child marriage prevention will be finalised considering all the facts and expressed her hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will help take the right decision.
“I’m happy to see there has been long debate much ahead of the law formulation. I see this debate positively. This debate will help know the law in a better way and it’ll help a lot in implementing the new law very effectively,” said the State Minister hoping that the media will continue to play its role.
Christian Tardif said accurate information and responsible journalism are key to educating the public and stakeholders about the benefits of ending CEFMs, which include stronger and healthier communities.
“You (media) can be vehicles of change and help spread the message for the young girls. Get educated, not married, just yet,” he said.
The diplomat said, Canada announced it would provide new funding for projects in six countries on CEFMs, including a US$ 1.5-million one with Plan Canada in Bangladesh focusing on empowering girls, mobilising communities and building and sharing evidence that supports delaying the age of marriage.
