Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka Christian Fotsch said Wednesday child marriage is a threat to prosperity apart from undermining the development initiatives of the government and its partners in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
"It's time for policymakers, parliamentarians, communities, families and young people to address this issue head on. This is why the Swiss Embassy supports UNFPA to spread the message and to raise awareness," he said.
The envoy made the remark after signing a partnership agreement between the Embassy of Switzerland and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh for continuing a media campaign to end child marriage in Bangladesh.
The signing ceremony was held in the Embassy of Switzerland. The total budget for production and airing of this project is approximately US$ .15 million, of which the contribution from Switzerland is 40,000 Swiss Francs (approx. US$ 44,543) and UNFPA will contribute US$ 105,457.
Christian Fotsch said everybody needs to act now as the costs of inaction, in terms of unrealised rights, lack of personal potential and lost development opportunities, far outweigh the costs of interventions.
UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Argentina Matavel Piccin said child marriage perpetuates poverty over generations and is linked to poor health, curtailed education and violence against women.
Piccin said child marriage affects girls and their families, communities, and the economy and mentioned that when a girl delays marriage, everyone benefits.
"A girl who marries later is more likely to stay in school, acquire more skills, secure a better job and reinvest her income into her family, which helps lead her family and eventually her community out of poverty," said the UNFPA representative.
