Asia Child Marriage Initiative, 2015: Report Launching Ceremony by PLAN International Bangladesh
The report launching ceremony for the ‘Asia Child Marriage Initiative, 2015’ was held on 10th November, Tuesday, at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University, organized by Plan International Bangladesh. The ‘Asia Child Marriage Initiative, 2015’, undertaken by Plan International Bangladesh, is a research study unearthing evidences on the underlying causes of child marriage practices in three countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. The study report described in-depth: the social attitudes, values-norms concerning child marriage, and the influencing factors- structural, environmental, legal and policy systems, education, and access to economic resources.
Around 200 young students from renowned Universities across the country and 50 stakeholders from relevant National-International organizations joined the event. The occasion was adorned by Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, State Minister for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, who spoke as the chief guest; Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Benoit-Pierre Laramee, High Commissioner, Canadian High Commission, Argentina Pinto Matavel Piccin, UNFPA Representative, were special guests who also spoke at the event.
The proceedings of the day included- official launching of the report, a presentation on the study followed by open Q/A session, staging of a drama on child marriage, a short documentary called ‘Wedding Busters’ based on the youth groups who stopped child marriages, and a debate on whether the family or the Government should be held responsible for preventing child marriages. Keshob and Shumi, two members of the community youth group who were recipients of numerous National-International awards for their courage and contribution in stopping child marriages, delivered inspiring speeches at the occasion. The event ended by a candid session where the participants made recommendations for the Government and civil society on how to prevent the practice of child marriage.
