The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Ujjiban Social and Behavior Change Project has handed over one million pledges calling for an end to child marriage in Bangladesh to State Minister of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) Fazilatun Nessa Indira MP on Saturday, a press release said.
State Minister Fazilatun Nessa Indira was joined by USAID Mission Director Kathryn D. Stevens, who highlighted the significance of the one million pledges, which came from adolescents, parents, community leaders, civil society representatives, and policy makers. Ms. Kathryn Stevens highlighted the significance of the one million pledges, which came from adolescents, parents, community leaders, civil society representatives, and policy makers. Ms. Stevens reiterated the United States’ commitment to that protects and nurtures girls’ and boys’ abilities to succeed so that they are able to better themselves, their families, and their communities.
Though child marriage is illegal in Bangladesh, the practice continues. Despite significant progress, Bangladesh has the fourth highest prevalence of child marriage in the world. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of child marriage has risen significantly.
In addition to the pledges, the event highlighted a new digital library developed by USAID’s Ujjiban Project in partnership with MOWCA. Housed on the MOWCA website, the digital library provides one-stop access to information on existing laws and other resources to prevent child marriage. The library also provides a collection of ready-made social behavior change communication materials designed to enable government and other stakeholders to reach broader audiences with messages developed specifically to end child marriage.
Speaking as the chief guest Ms. Fazilatun Nessa Indira, MP said, “Women are an integral part of society. The Father of the Nation was the first to realize the importance of women. In 1972, Bangabandhu confirmed the equal rights of women in the constitution of Bangladesh.”
Dr. Faisal Mahmud, chief of party, USAID’s Ujjiban Project delivered welcome speech atthe beginning of the program. Dr. Zeenat Sultana, deputy chief of party,USAID’s Ujjiban Project shared her brief overview on Child Marriage Situation in Bangladesh.
Md. Muhibuzzaman, additional secretary, MoWCA shared his opinion and experience regarding the Digital Library. He also responded to different questions and comments from the audience relating to child marriage prevention in Bangladesh.
pledges have been collected under the Ujjiban project to raise awareness nationwide to prevent child marriage. People of different professions and age groups from different regions of Bangladesh participated in this program.
Ms. Miranda Beckman, acting director, office of Population, Health and Nutrition (OPHN), USAID; Ms. KathryneD. Stevens, mission director, USAID; Ms. Farida Parvin, director general, Department of Women Affairs, MoWCA and Ms. Selima Ahmad, MP were present as special guests.The program was moderated by Jamil Ahmed, TV presenter & director – Public Relations Office at North South University.
