BMP protests
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) has protested the government's proposal to reduce the minimum age of girls for marriage to 16, and that of boys to 18 in the draft of the child marriage restraint act.
The organisation at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club yesterday demanded that the minimum age of girls and boys for marriage be 18 and 21 respectively as per the existing child marriage restraint act.
Ayesha Khanam, president of BMP, said, “The rate of child marriage for girls is still alarming in Bangladesh. Under such circumstances, the decision of reducing marriage of girls to 16 is harmful and suicidal.”
Advocate Maksuda Aktar Laily, director (legal advocacy), BMP said, “We are astonished to see the cabinet proposal when child marriage is considered an obstacle to gender equality, humanity and rights of women all over the world.”
Dr Rowshan Ara Begum, vice-president of BMP, said early marriages put girls in risk of premature motherhood, uterus cancer and other pregnancy related problems.
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