Bangladesh is going to participate in the Girl Summit in the United Kingdom as a progressive partner and highlight the government's commitment to eliminate child marriage by incorporating it in visions 2021 and 2040, sources said.
They said though the country has successes on various girl issues including attaining maternal mortality rate in the millennium development goals (MDGs), it has still challenges on child marriage for its high rate.
Over 60 per cent of the marriages were found below 18 years in 2011 of which 30 per cent took place below the age of 15 years which experts consider a major hindrance to attaining the government's goal to lift the country to a middle-income one.
Officials said the delegation members will highlight the government steps taken or to be taken to tap the issue for taking the country forward.
A national plan of action on child marriage elimination of different ages will be adopted by December when the government will incorporate related issues in the government's already declared visions 2021 and 2040, they added.
"The plan of action will address the issue of checking drop-out of girl child before 18 years and develop them as human capital through focusing on their skill development," said an official preferring not to be named.
With UNICEF as a co-host, the UK government organises the first ever Girl Summit on July 22 aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) within a generation.
Girl Summit in UK on July 22
Munima Sultana | Published: July 18, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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