Biral declared free of child marriage, school dropout

BIRAL, DINAJPUR, July 31: Biral Upazila in Dinajpur was on Monday declared free of child marriage, child labour and school dropout at a programme organised by the upazila administration with support from World Vision Bangladesh.

The declaration was made at the Upazila Parishad auditorium, where Dinajpur-2 MP Alhajj Sadique Riaz Chowdhury Pinak attended as the chief guest.

The event was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Rezaul Islam and attended by local government officials, representatives of World Vision Bangladesh, teachers, religious leaders, Union Parishad chairmen, child protection activists and members of youth and community organisations.

Speaking at the programme, the speakers stressed the need for continued collective efforts to prevent child marriage, eliminate child labour and ensure that every child remains in school.

The event began with the release of balloons under the slogan, "Together we can end child labour" and "My upazila, my responsibility�"let my upazila be free of child marriage." The ceremony was formally inaugurated by the lawmaker.

A discussion followed at the auditorium, where participants took a pledge to work together to prevent child marriage, child labour and school dropouts.

The programme also featured remarks from Upazila BNP President Babul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge Al Emran, Upazila Women Affairs Officer Runa Parveen, Upazila Social Services Officer Rajul Islam, World Vision Bangladesh Deputy Director (Northern Bangladesh Cluster) Raju William Rosario, Advocacy Coordinator (Partnership) Tanzimul Islam, Mangalpur Union Parishad Chairman Abul Kashem, Acting President of Biral Poura BNP Asadul Haque Hira, Assistant Headmaster of Forakkabad Nurul Islam School and College Kaysar Ali, Executive Director of Mamata Rural Development Organisation Yakub Ali, Biral AP Programme Officer Golam Saklain, Child Protection Officer Biplob Cleme Mondol and others.

The welcome address was delivered by Antina Das, Interim Area Development Programme Officer of Biral AP under World Vision Bangladesh.
The programme concluded with a cultural performance attended by local representatives, teachers, children and youth forum members.