Abdullah Al Mamun: Although child marriage is considered as one of the social problems of Bangladesh, government and private initiatives are strongly committed to stop child marriage. The government has enacted laws to prevent child marriage. Speakers also believe that it is possible to get effective results if everyone comes forward to take public awareness activities including public meetings and gatherings to inform about the evils of child marriage and if the union level child marriage prevention committee becomes active.

On Thursday (22 September 2022) at 11 am in the conference room of Chapainawabganj District Commissioner, a consultation meeting was held at the district level to prevent child marriage. The meeting was organized by the Association for Community Development (ACD) in collaboration with UNICEF.

ACD Director Program Sharmin Subrina delivered a welcome speech at the consultation meeting under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Zakiul Islam. ACD Program Manager Monirul Islam Payal presented the overall situation, root causes of child marriage in the meeting and he highlighted the important aspects of ongoing activities.

Deputy Director of Women Affairs Department Mst. Sahida Akhtar and Peer Leader of ACD’s Chataidubi Kishore Kishori Team Sajib Ali addressed the meeting.

In this consultation meeting at the district level, Chapainawabganj deputy director Mst. Umme Kulsoom, Chapainawabganj district education officer Md. Abdur Rashid, District Child Affairs Officer Md. Shafiqul Islam, National Women’s Association Chapainawabganj Chairman Yasmin Sultana Ruma, Islamic Foundation Representative Md. Anwar Jahan, district teachers’ association president Kazi Mozammel, officials of various government offices of the district, members of the law enforcement force, representatives of civil society, Qazis, imams, teachers, non-governmental organizations and media. Members of ACD’s Child and Adolescent Team were present along with representatives.