Kurigram Correspondent:
World Concern Bangladesh organized a discussion program and cultural program to create awareness to stop early marriage and child labor at Thanahat Union under the Chilmari Upazila in Kurigram on November 11.
The awareness event against early marriage and child labor was organized under PROTTASHA project of World Concern Bangladesh.
Chilmari Upazila Chairman Profesor Rukunuzzaman Shahin was present as the chief guest at the event.
Thanahat Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Razzak Milon was also present at the event as special guest. Local people, journalists, civil society members, parents, academicians, among others were also present.
The participants at the event said that they did not know about the bad impacts of early marriage in society, on the female health and in the family. After attending the program, they have come to know everything about early marriage.
A participating adolescent girl said she did not know about it. She is happy to attend the program and she also said she will be aware and will create awareness among others what she learned. 
The participating parents were also happy after watching this dance with the early marriage prevention message song and said they would never marry off girls under the age of 18.
Thanking World Concern Bangladesh, Upazila Chairman Professor Rukunuzzaman Shahin said this type of programs help in raising community awareness. Everyone will benefit from this wonderful program.
“I’ll help from my Upazila Parishad to World Concern Bangladesh to arrange this kind of good program in the areas,” he added.
Thanahat Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Razzak Milon said, this is possible to reduce early marriage in the communities in this way.
World Concern Bangladesh’s Project Manager Rajkumar Mondol said early marriage will be reduced if we become aware of and act against this.
He informed that 65% of girls are married off before their 18, which increases maternal mortality.
He also said that World Concern, Bangladesh is an international non-governmental development organization.
At present World Concern, Bangladesh is trying to reduce socioeconomic poverty in the community through the self-help approach.
Project officer Malak Sarker, and Taraka Begum Project accountant, Prerit Mrong were present at the program.
