Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a seminar in the city on Monday called for collective efforts to eradicate child marriage in Bangladesh. Family members, local government, law enforcers, national and international development partners and ministries concerned have to act in this regard, they said.
The speakers stressed the need for poverty reduction, economic empowerment; generation of mass awareness for eradication of the social menace like child marriage.
The call came from the launching of the National Multi-media Campaign on Ending Child Marriage, jointly organised by the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, UNICEF, UNFPA and the High Commission of Canada at a city hotel.
Chaired by Women and Children’s Affairs Secretary Nasima Begum, the event was attended by Minister for Information Hasanul Haq Inu as the chief guest.
State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki was the guest of honour, while High Commissioner of Canada Benoit-Pierre Laramee and Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh Edouard Beigbeder were present as special guests.
Meher Afroze Chumki said this national multimedia campaign is part of a larger communication for development and social and behavioural change to end child marriage in the country. “Currently, Bangladesh is witnessing a significant progress in curbing child marriage. We are working for poverty reduction, quality education and access to social services for the girls aged less than 18 to eradicate under age marriage of girls,” Chumki said.
“Only collective actions from all the stakeholders will help eradicate child marriage, she asserted.
“We are keen to stop under-age marriage. So we have addressed both boys and girls in the promotional contents that will be launched today,” said Nasima Begum.
Hasanul Haq Inu said child marriage is a social crime. It destroys a girl’s life. Both boys and girls have to be aware about the impact of under-age marriage, he also said.
“Only law enforcement cannot stop such social illness. Mass awareness, family members’ good will and gender equality and balance may ensure a child marriage-free society. It will ensure us to equalise balance and meet the Sustainable Development Goals,” Inu opined
Benoit-Pierre Laramee said Canada will work with Bangladesh to meet the 2030 agenda and enhance all sorts of collaboration required.
“We are always with Bangladesh. You have achieved significantly and reduced child marriage. Empowerment of women and making them knowledgeable will make them less vulnerable to abuse, sexual harassment or social assault,” Laramee pointed out.
