Bhairab, Kishoreganj Correspondent:
World Concern Bangladesh on Wednesday (October 4, 2023) has commenced the “BRIDE NOT BEFORE 18’ campaign through bringing out colorful rally, cultural program and discussion under Ensure Protection and Justice through Integrated Approach (EPJIA) Project at Bhairab Upazila in Kishoreganj district.
Government officials, local government representatives, NGO workers, social experts spontaneously attended the events to stop child marriage in community level which is becoming the main barriers to social development in Bangladesh.
The objectives of the campaign were to create mass awareness among the community people and prevent child marriage in the society.
Md. Sofikul Islam Chairman of Shibpur Union Parishod has presided over the program attended by the chief guest Md. Musa Miah, Upazila Assistant Agriculture Officer of Bhairab Upazila; UP member Shimul Akter, Md. Kala Miah, Md. Rofikul Miah, Md. Abdullah Al- Santu, local Leader Md. Shamim Miah, Jamal Miah. Mr. James Sunny Bairagee, Program Officer, Ensure Protection & Justice; and Nazim Sarkar, Branch Manager, Rural Micro-credit Program.
Md. Sofikul Islam Chairman of Shibpur Union Parishod has presided over the program and said “We should work together to prevent child marriage.” Create mass awareness is very necessary to reduce child marriage.
He also said that, “we should start from our own house to stop it. He also added that Education is the proper way to reduce child marriage. It is challenging but not impossible.”
Md. Musa Miah, Upazila Assistant Agriculture Officer of Bhairab Upazila, said in his speech that “Early marriage is a common issue in our community. To stop child marriage education should be ensure for children. A large number of children are drop out from school due to child marriage.”
“We are also working with Upazila Administration to reduce child marriage from community level,” he added.
Md. Nazim Sarkar Branch Manager, Rural Micro-credit Program of World Concern Bhairab said that Early marriage is become a disease in our society. Poverty, lack of education & superstation is the main causes of early marriage. World Concern is tring to reduce child marriage through arranging awareness program. So, we need held of community leaders to reduce child marriage.
Shahin Sultana disability specialist said “According to our government law, the minimum marriage age in Bangladesh for girls is 18 and 21 for boys, but a boy or a girl of that age must think of becoming self-dependent and capable of decision making independently.”
Mr. James Sunny Bairagee, Program Officer, EPJIA Project, World Concern, Bhairab, facilitated the program. He said that early marriage creates various problem in our community. To prevent early marriage everyone should work from root level. He also emphasized the need of forming Early Marriage Prevention Committee (EMPC) in the community.
World Concern Bangladesh is working with Upazila Administration to reduce child marriage from community level. Civil society, duty bearers and community leaders should come forward, said James Sunny Boiragee, adding that “Punishment for arranging and helping in arranging child marriage must be ensured to stop child marriage.”
Child Forum and Adolescent Boys and Girls group members participated and performed dance, songs, and staged drama show on bad effects of child marriage. They also showed Red Cards to child marriage.
