Changes in Parents' prespective a must to prevent child marriage

Marriage is an important chapter in our social system and is also considered as a sacred bond. But child marriage is a bane for any society. Although several improvements in public health and maternal health are visible in our country, the rate of child marriage cannot be cut down significantly. Bangladesh still has the highest rate of child marriage among Asian countries which is harmful for maternal and child health. Despite the authorities formulated laws and policies to stop child marriage, the situation is still concerning due to lack of awareness and implementation of proper laws.

Recently, the World Population Situation-2024 report of the satellite office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed that in terms of child marriage, 51 percent of girls got married before the age of 18 in Bangladesh between 2006 and 2022. Besides, Bangladesh has the highest number of child marriages in Asia. In Bangladesh, mothers aged 15 to 19 give birth to 74 children out of thousand ones.

Mainly due to early marriage, young girls become mothers and suffer from malnutrition. Their children are also malnourished and are often born undersized or stunted. Also, girls are victims of family violence due to child marriage. Girls drop out of education for the same reason. According to the United Nations Children's Charter, everyone under the age of 18 is a child. According to that 40 percent of the total population of the country are children. As the saying goes, today's child is tomorrow's leader. Therefore, ensuring security for these future leaders is very important.

On the other hand, it is not only the child or adolescent who is affected by child marriage. Along with that, everyone including the state and the society is affected. A child or adolescent who could have become an asset to his family, society and state is being disrupted by child marriage. So it is very important to stop child marriage not only for the children but also for the continued development of the state.

However, if proper projects are taken and implemented for the development of these children and teenagers, they could be educated and work for the development of the country. No doubt if children's rights are not implemented, then children will not grow up normally. In this situation, the country will not be able to fulfill its desired goals.

Experts feel that the situation was expected to improve with the government's laws and regulations to prevent child marriage. But due to Covid-19 lockdown many students got married early. To improve the situation, planning should be made with the actual data of how much child marriage has taken place. Initiatives should increase to prevent child marriage by coordinating the work of various ministries. The responsibility of the state should be strengthened.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure proper rights, education and safety of children and adolescents in order to build a prosperous Bangladesh. In order to improve the quality of life of children and teenagers, various programs are being implemented, including introduction of free education, introduction of stipend, free distribution of books, increase in the number of female teachers. The government has formulated National Child Marriage Act, Child Policy and Women Development Policy. As a result of these measures taken, child marriage and torture have reduced significantly, but still not at the expected rate. Therefore, children and adolescents must be ensured of a safe and healthy environment, quality health care and a society free from torture and oppression. Along with that, everyone should behave generiusly towards children and teenagers and give more importance to the practice of morals and values. Otherwise, it is impossible to prevent child marriage.