Children, youth raise voice for ending child marriage

Children and youth at national-level campaign on Thursday raised their voices to build a country free of child marriage and stop all forms of violence against children in the country.

Stakeholders from NGOs again came together to demand so that the government establishes a separate directorate for the welfare of children within the ministry.

The demands made at a national-level event held on Thursday by World Vision Bangladesh at a hotel in the capital to celebrate its global campaign: “It Takes Me: To Stop Violence against Children”, said a press release

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Kamal Uddin Ahmed was present at the event as the chief guest while Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, and young changemaker Monika Islam were present as special guests with World Vision Senior Director of Operations, Chandan Z Gomes in the chair.

After a month-long celebration with the participation and leadership of children and adolescents from marginalised communities from across the country, the campaign was celebrated at the national level through the event.

Children and young people across the country enthusiastically participated in the campaign under the slogan ‘Amplifying the voices of Young Change-makers to prevent child marriage’.

Organisers said the aim of the campaign is to empower children and young people to raise their voices to end violence against all children and build a country free from child marriage.

Stakeholders also recommended for strengthening of the child marriage monitoring systems based on the National Action Plan 2018- 2030, the full activation of child marriage prevention committees at the local level, the creation of alternative livelihood opportunities for families susceptible to marrying off their children, ensuring the establishment of a separate directorate for child focused on guaranteeing child rights, protection, and holistic development.