New law to cut child marriage by half in 2yrs
Once the Child Marriage Restraint Act-2017 comes into effect, the number of child marriage will come down to half within the next two years, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki said yesterday.
“For this, the government will do whatever needs to be done,” she said at a programme marking the International Women's Day-2017. The programme was organised at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
The minister's comments came at a time when different rights bodies at home and abroad were denouncing the government for enacting the act keeping intact a provision for “special circumstances.”
Keeping intact a provision that allows marriage of underage girls and boys in “special circumstances”, the Jatiya Sangsad on February 27 passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2017 with 18 and 21 as minimum marriageable age for women and men respectively.
Chumki said it was clearly stated in the act that a girl would not be allowed to get married if she is below 18, but a quarter was spreading confusion about it.
“Every law has some exceptions, but exceptions can never be examples. The special provision was incorporated in Child Marriage Restraint Act-2017 to protect maximum interest of women, which will be ensured by court,” she said.
The minister said a rule in this regard would be formulated soon and opinion of lawmakers and dignitaries would be taken at the time.
At the programme, five successful women were given national awards for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields, reports BSS.
The recipients are Sharli Meshoipru from Chittagong division, Hosne Ara Begum from Rangpur, Firoza Begum from Rajshahi, Morzina Begum and Arifa Yasmeen Moyuree from Dhaka.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Rebeka Momin was the special guest while UN Women Country Representative of Bangladesh Chris Hunter was the guest of honour.
Secretary of the ministry Nasima Begum presided over the programme.
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