The government has taken up the target to eliminate child marriage from the country by 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
In an interview to the BBC Bangla, she said her government had already taken different steps to stop child marriage, and plans for enacting a law that would prevent marriages of children under the age of 15.
The rate of child marriage had been brought down to 17% from 52%, the premier claimed, adding that efforts to build better awareness as well as “focusing more on female education has brought the number down.” She also urged all parents to provide education to their children, irrespective of their gender.
In the radio interview given during her stay in London to attend the Girl Summit, the premier also expressed hopes that the awareness created by the summit would also reach Bangladesh.
Earlier, Hasina attended an iftar hosted by the UK unit of the Awami League, where the premier said she had been assured of continued British assistance from her UK counterpart, David Cameron, reports our correspondent travelling with Hasina.
Speaking at the programme, held at the ballroom of London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel yesterday, Hasina said: “I have had fruitful talks with the British prime minister. He said we will continue to receive British assistance.”
Hinting at possible future complications surrounding British visas, the prime minister said the UK government had assured Bangladesh that they would look after the issue.
There are reports that suggest the British government is planning to consolidate its visa processing system in the region by delegating the visa scrutinising authority to its New Delhi office for cost-saving purposes. However, it will not have any impact on the Bangladeshi visa seekers.
Addressing hundreds of expatriate Awami League supporters, who came from both the UK and neighbouring countries, the ruling party president credited expatriates for being the “main driving force” behind the country’s economy, and expressed hopes that Bangladesh would be turned into a middle income country by 2021, and into a developed country by 2041.
Highlighting her government’s achievements, Hasina said information services had been introduced across the country to allow expatriates to better communicate with their relatives in the rural parts. She also emphasised on the country’s achievements in bringing down child and maternal mortality rates.
Regarding the development of education sector, the premier said she had directed the education minister to increase the SSC pass rate from 92% to 98%.
Claiming that her government was able to complete 95% of its Annual Development Programmes, Hasina promised further development during her government’s remaining four years and five months’ tenure.
The government also started work on the Padma Bridge after announcing that its construction would be self-funded, she said, adding that a network infrastructure had been built throughout the country.
Slamming the BNP-Jamaat, the premier said the two parties did everything in their power – from calling hartals to burning the Qur’an and felling trees – to stop the national election. Hasina also claimed that the BNP-Jamaat burned over 500 schools last year.
On a separate note, Hasina said Biman Bangladesh flights would go to Dhaka via Sylhet in the future, adding that London-Sylhet-London flights would also be introduced.
The prime minister returns to Dhaka today wrapping her three-day UK visit.