How long will early marriage continue?
Monday, 15 September 2008
Despite several decades of campaign to stop early marriage, still wedding of 52.5 per cent of girls, before they turn 15, is reported. The rate was the highest in Bangladesh, out of 15 sub-Saharan, South Asian and Central American countries.
If so, what achievement Bangladesh could make so far with the work done all these years.
As before, early marriage still takes place in the villages as well as urban areas because of a practice among parents to hide age of their children. Though they know that they are committing a crime, violating the law, they do it also because of poverty. In some cases, however, the affluent people do it due to lack of proper motivation.
Early marriage must stop for doing away with many social problems. Alleviation of poverty will remain a distant dream if this practice continues. To remove this curse from the society, we have no option but to strictly enforce the law that makes birth registration a must. It is also needed to ensure that not a single marriage will take place without registration. This has to be done by motivating the parents, not by intimidation so that they do it with enthusiasm.
Shamim Ahmed
Shyamoli
Dhaka
If so, what achievement Bangladesh could make so far with the work done all these years.
As before, early marriage still takes place in the villages as well as urban areas because of a practice among parents to hide age of their children. Though they know that they are committing a crime, violating the law, they do it also because of poverty. In some cases, however, the affluent people do it due to lack of proper motivation.
Early marriage must stop for doing away with many social problems. Alleviation of poverty will remain a distant dream if this practice continues. To remove this curse from the society, we have no option but to strictly enforce the law that makes birth registration a must. It is also needed to ensure that not a single marriage will take place without registration. This has to be done by motivating the parents, not by intimidation so that they do it with enthusiasm.
Shamim Ahmed
Shyamoli
Dhaka