Nilphamari Sadar declared free of child marriage, child labour and school dropouts following sustained community awareness efforts. Photo : BSS

NILPHAMARI, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) - Nilphamari Sadar Upazila has been declared free of child marriage, child labour and school dropouts.

The declaration was made at a programme held at the Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium this afternoon, organised by World Vision Bangladesh.

Government officials, elected representatives, religious leaders, Nikah registrars and representatives from different professions attended the programme.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mubashira Amatullah attended the programme as the chief guest, while World Vision Bangladesh Nilphamari Area Manager Anukul Chandra Barman presided over it.

Sadar Upazila Education Officer ATM Nurul Amin Shah, Sadar Upazila Union Parishad Chairmen Association President Abdur Rouf, former general secretary of Nilphamari Press Club Nur Alam and Imam of Natkhana Jame Mosque Ramzan Ali, among others, spoke at the programme.

Anukul Chandra Barman said 16 child marriages had already been prevented and 54 children had been brought back to school in the upazila.
He said awareness had been raised through meetings and courtyard gatherings involving people from different sections of society.

Chief guest UNO Mubashira Amatullah said people were aware of the negative consequences of child marriage, child labour and school dropout.

"If awareness is created within families, children can be protected from child marriage, child labour and dropping out of school," she said.