Early marriage and Women\\\'s Day

Child marriage is an alarming problem in rural areas of Bangladesh. The practice is going on unabated in many places which lack educational facilities. We celebrated Women's Day without addressing this important issue keeping our rural women far behind.
We cannot expect to bring drastic changes in present socio-economic situation if we fail to uplift our women and give them equal opportunity like their male counterparts. It is true that the women of Bangladesh have made a big stride, although yet to be enough towards their economic and social emancipation. We need to speed up the whole process so that the women of our country, deprived for long time, are finally able to enjoy the benefits they rightly deserve.
Early marriage, dowry and pregnancy pose serious risks for adolescent girls, hamper their growth and decrease their potentials. It is also a reason for unchecked population and child death. Child marriage rate, unfortunately, is higher in Bangladesh and it is high time we tackle this issue with seriousness.
Many times the girl children are forced to get married and their parents want to get rid of them thinking they are burdensome. The security problem is another reason that compels many parents to get their girl children married off at an early age. We must vow to eradicate early marriage in order to give our every girl child opportunity for better future.
Roksana Sultana
Uttara, Dhaka