Historically the girl children have been subjected to different kinds of discrimination. As a result they are behind than the boys in terms of health, education, nutrition and other socio-economic indicators. These systematic discriminations have placed the girl children in a precarious position. This has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of girl children and their contribution in the society and in the country. Early child marriage is one the main fact for the development of the girl child. USS is implementing girl power project with the partnership of Plan International Bangladesh with the goal “Reduce gender based violence against girl and young women”. “Child Marriage is a social disease, It must be stooped”, with this slogan an awareness session was held dated on 28th January, 2015 in Luxmichap union at Dubachuri girls High School of Nilphamari sador upazila. More than 500 children and parents were present in the awareness session. Active support of girls and young women & youth groups of Luxmichap union USS organized the event. Sabet Ali, UNO of Nilphamari Sador upazila was the chief guest in the event. High schools teachers, Primary schools teachers, Madrasha teachers, UP members, SMC members, and Local elites were present in the session and discussed on stop child marriage. UP member Mokbul Hossian said that, “USS is working here for a long time and the community people have been benefited but is program. Now it is our responsibility to stop child marriage together. If any parents arrange marriage before 18, we all will damage the occasion and handover him to the upazila administration”. In the speech of chief guest UNO said that, within February we are going to declare Luxmichap child marriage free union. And if any kind of child marriage is arranged I am very serious and will put them into the jail.” During his speeches he encourages the girl children to put more attention on study. He gave his phone number to the girl children so that they may communicate with any circumstances especially regarding child marriage. In the awareness session UNO conducted an oath session between girl children and the guardians so that no one can give child marriage. At last a color full rally took place leaded by UNO with the slogan of “No more child marriage, education is the right and so on.
Reported by: Pabon Malo, PC, USS, Jaldhaka
