ZCZC
BSS-22
CHILD-MARRIAGE-MEETING
Awareness on child marriage increases in Barishal, Rangpur: study
DHAKA, July 16, 2018 (BSS) – People of 10 upazilas in Barishal and
Rangpur districts are now more aware of the adverse consequences of child
marriage, according to a new study.
The study report was released at a function at the city’s BRAC centre.
The study titled, ’empowering girls on sexual and reproductive health and
rights to end child marriage’ was carried out under a two-year project in the
two districts.
Girls Not Brides Bangladesh, an alliance of 25 local and international
NGOs, implemented the project aiming to make people aware of the adverse
impacts of child marriage.
Making a power-point presentation on the report, social protection
expert of Girls Not Bridge Bangladesh Kazi Ariful Huda said the rate of child
marriage in Rangpur and Barishal divisions was very high and that is why they
conducted the study in the two districts.
About 16,000 youths, school going children, journalists, local public
representatives, teachers, civil society members and community leaders were
brought under the research.
The study report said before the beginning of the project two years ago,
about 83 percent of community leaders, 60 percent youths and 50 percent
youths were conscious about the adverse impacts of child marriage in Rangpur.
After the implementation of the project, the report said, the conciseness
rate has increased to almost cent percent among the people covered under the
study. The study also found same results in Bairshal.
National Coordinator of Girls Not Brides Bangladesh Anna Minj,
Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra Sheepa Hafiza and Habibur Rahman of
Girls Not Brides Bangladesh spoke at the function.
The speakers underscored the need for creating social awareness at
community level to empower women and end child marriage.
BSS/Asg/MKD/MRI/1805 hrs