Rights groups continue demands for child marriage bill change

A coalition of rights groups continued to press their demands for removal of the special provision from the Child Marriage Prevention Act 2016 with a human chain on Saturday, reports UNB. The umbrella group of 22 different rights organisations demanded that the minimum age for girls to be married stay at 18, with the provision for “special circumstances” removed in its entirety. “The special provision of the law on child marriage prevention will increase the risk of child marriage,” they said during the programme. Subal Sarkar of the Bangladesh Bhumihin Somity said: “A girl under 18 is not physically matured and thus her marriage can definitely threaten her life by creating many physical problems. Furthermore, it may lead to the birth of premature or malnourished babies.” Moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust, the programme was also addressed by Zayed Iqbal Khan of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Aminur Rasul Babul of Unnyan Dhara Trust and Sanat Kumar Bhowmik of COAST Trust. In a position paper for the organisers, Ferdous Ara Rumee of COAST Trust expressed concerns that if the cabinet-approved draft is passed by the parliament, it would encourage abuse of the law.