The Spectacular Seven
Seven adolescent girls from Nandail upazila of Mymesingh have set an example that the elders and some local administrative officials should learn from. They have joined hands to prevent child marriage in their area and have indeed prevented two such marriages taking place. Given that Section 19 of Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 have frustrated most people, and the waivers in a way legalise underage marriage, the resolve of the young girls must not only be praised but also supported from all quarters. It is indeed heartening to see that their headmaster and other teachers have backed them up in their effort, particularly in tipping off the police and civil administration of an impending child marriage.
The tendency among some parents, particularly in the rural areas, to exploit the special provisions to marry off their young daughters, has been noticeable. Regrettably, while a few of these could be prevented, thanks to the initiatives of some local organisation, particularly led by girls as in this case under the name of 'Ghashhful,' some others could not be due to the unwillingness of the local administration on very flimsy and unacceptable grounds, that since mobile courts are now shorn off their magisterial powers they are unable to act. One fails to understand the correlation between granting magisterial powers to executive magistrates and preventing the commission of an offense by the relevant authorities.
While we offer our accolades to these brave young girls we hope that their efforts would be emulated by others across the country.
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