'Not even in special cases'
Women right activists yesterday once again asked the government to withdraw the special provision in the Child Marriage Restraint Act-2017 bill that allows child marriage under “special” circumstances.
Pointing out that child marriage ruins the life of a girl both mentally and physically, they pressed for the need to protect girls.
They were addressing a discussion with the motto 'Let's Ensure Equal Rights, Build Women Friendly World' organised by National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) to mark International Women's Day 2017.
“The country is doing well in various fields but discrimination against women is hampering its progress, which is not acceptable,” said Badiul Alam Majumdar, President of NGCAF.
Addressing girls who were present at the programme, he said, “Equal rights will be established. We'll have to achieve it.”
But for that women have to be courageous, he said.
Gender specialist Farzana Shahnaz Majid advised girls to be vocal and protest whenever and wherever they face abuse and teasing. She also asked young women to change their mentality and be more liberal and respect everyone.
No woman will marry before reaching the age of 18, she said adding that activists will continue their efforts to press the government into scrapping the special provision in the Child Marriage Restraint Act-2017 bill.
Among others, Wahida Banu, executive director of Aparajeyo-Bangladesh and secretary of NGCAF Nasima Aktar Jolly also spoke at the discussion.
Earlier, the forum handed over a crest to Manju Samaddar, former principal of Baptist Sangha School for Blind Girls (BSSBG) and Salma Khatun, the first female train driver of Bangladesh for outstanding contribution in their respective areas.
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