Development organization Plan International has launched a collection of testimonies titled “Louder than Words” to advocate against child marriage.
The collection reflects girls’ and boys’ activism in collaboration with Plan International in tackling and challenging the root causes of Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) to prevent this practice and achieve girls’ empowerment and equality.
Stronger youth activism engaging traditional and religious leaders can eliminate CEFM, a global human rights issue disproportionately affecting girls, said Plan International on Wednesday.
Bhagyashri Dengle, executive director of Asia Pacific and Gender Transformative Policy and Practice of Plan International, said: “Each story of grassroots redemption speaks louder than words. These are stories of actions that have led to many small yet significant victories in this perpetual battle of right against might.
Sweeti, an advocate and vocal promoter of issues relating to child marriage and girls' health, shared that she faced many struggles with villagers while advocating against child marriage.
Sweeti and several other girls and stakeholders across the region were featured in 20 stories in the “Louder than Words” collection.
These stories of grassroots redemption will help to prove that tales of tragedy can also become tales of survival and triumph, said the organization.
According to Plan International, child marriage frequently leads to serious negative consequences, denying millions of girls the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
By 2030, globally more than 800 million women may have suffered the consequences of child marriage, up from more than 650 million today.
The international development organization urged the use of digital technology, cyber platforms and online solutions, as well as promoting accessible and quality gender-responsive services that can be used to promote effective strategies to eliminate CEFM, as well as to prevent and reduce adolescent pregnancies in Asia-Pacific, including Bangladesh.
Plan International came up with the urge as they launched “Louder than Words”.
The testimonies promote and highlight the regional efforts to prevent and end CEFM that has evolved into a regional initiative called “Time to Act!”