Photo: BSS

By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Aug 24, 2025 (BSS) - In riverine char areas of the Brahmaputra basin 
of greater Rangpur region, social curses like child marriage and dowry have 
come to a minimum as marriage registration has already become a social 
tradition here.
 
In addition to growing awareness among char people, women's education is 
helping them escape these social curses, even though 100 percent marriages 
were child marriage and unregistered in the region even two decades ago.
 
However, char people are getting their children married at the right age with 
proper registration, which is brightening the prospects of building a better 
society for women and children in the char region.
 
Along with various government departments, the Union Digital Centers (UDC) 
has added a new dimension by reaching out information to common people 
everywhere, including char areas, which has further accelerated the process 
of building a healthy society.
 
Talking to BSS, Mozammel Haque and his wife Zohera Begum of Kharubhanj Char 
village in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district said they married their son 
Zahedul Haque with Nasima Khatun of the village with proper registration and 
without dowry.
 
While narrating feelings to BSS on their dowry-free marriage, couple Zahedul 
Haque and Nasima Khatun said they would ensure registered marriage of their 
children and never allow them in taking or giving dowry in the future.
 
Similarly, Monnaf Mian and his wife Merejan Begum of the same village married 
their son Litan Mia with Minara Khatun of nearby Char Shajai village with 
proper registration and without dowry. 
 
Chairman of Northbengal Instate of Development Studies (NIDS) Dr Syed 
Samsuzzaman said char people are now easily getting information on gender 
issue, child marriage, dowry, marriage registration, safe motherhood, health, 
sanitation and drinking water.
 
Because of various awareness building activities of the government, NGOs and 
different social groups, the extent of social curses like child marriage and 
dowry has been showing a downward trend significantly.
 
Char women are showing more interests in marriage registration, family 
planning, safe motherhood and education of their children.
 
Many youths, women, adolescents, guardians, students and common people living 
in char areas are visiting the UDCs to have knowledge on the social curses 
and way-outs.
 
"Getting knowledge from the UDCs and publicities being conducted by the 
District Information Offices, Bangladesh Television and Betar, char people 
are now more aware of the negatives impacts of child marriage and dowry," Dr 
Zaman added.
 
Former Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Shahadat Hossain, a resident 
of Kurigram district, said that even two decades ago, char women had no idea 
about the negative effects of child marriage and premature birth in the char 
region. 
 
"However, they are getting their daughters married at the right age through 
registration, adopting family planning methods and delivering their babies 
safely, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the char areas to zero 
level," he continued. 
 
To prevent population growth by ensuring planned family formation and safe 
childbirth, newly married and able-bodied couples in the char region are 
being provided with proper family planning methods and necessary medical 
services for pregnant women. 
 
"Furthermore, the incidence of dowry and domestic violence against women has 
decreased in the char areas, where the quality of life of char people and 
family peace among them have improved significantly," Dr Shahadat added.