United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ujjiban Social and Behavior Change Project handed over one million pledges calling for an end to child marriage in Bangladesh.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira on Saturday received the pledges, which came from adolescents, parents, community leaders, civil society representatives, and policy makers.
USAID Mission Director Kathryn D Stevens highlighted the significance of the pledges and reiterated commitment of the United States to that protects and nurtures girls' and boys' abilities to succeed so that they are able to better themselves, their families, and their communities.
Though child marriage is illegal in Bangladesh, the practice continues. Despite significant progress, Bangladesh has the fourth highest prevalence of child marriage in the world. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of child marriage has risen significantly.
In addition to the pledges, the event highlighted a new digital library developed by USAID's Ujjiban Project in partnership with MOWCA. Housed on the MOWCA website, the digital library provides one-stop access to information on existing laws and other resources to prevent child marriage. The library also provides a collection of ready-made social behavior change communication materials designed to enable government and other stakeholders to reach broader audiences with messages developed specifically to end child marriage.
Speaking as the chief guest Fazilatun Nessa Indira said, “Women are an integral part of society. The father of the nation was the first to realize the importance of women. In 1972, Bangabandhu confirmed the equal rights of women in the constitution of Bangladesh. In line with this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of the father of the nation, has taken various steps for women development, empowerment, equal rights of women and employment creation in Bangladesh.
She said,“Women should decide when to marry, whom to marry, when to conceive and they have the right to take these decisions. But currently women are deprived of these rights in many parts of the country. She said that development is not possible in a country where half of the population are women. Child marriage is a social problem. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has created a role model in the world for women's development.”
USAID’s Ujjiban Project party chief Dr. Faisal Mahmud delivered welcome speech at the beginning of the programme. Deputy chief Dr. Zeenat Sultana shared her brief overview on child marriage situation in Bangladesh. The programme was conducted by North South University (NSU) Public Relations Office director Jamil Ahmed.
Shaistaganj Theater Group of Sylhet performed a interactive popular theatre show before pledges signing by guests at this event.
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