Speakers at a seminar yesterday demanded scrapping the draft of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014, which proposed that parents could marry off their daughters at the age of 16 for any logical reason or by the approval of court.
Though the previous draft of the act kept the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18, the revised draft added that any girl marrying at 16 with parental permission or with the court’s approval would not be considered a minor.
At the seminar organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the Daily Star Centre, marking International Women’s Day (IWD) 2015, speakers criticised the move to lower the age.
Expressing a defiant stance against the proposed draft, NHRC Chairman Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman said the NHRC had already informed the government about the violation of child rights if the act passed.
The theme for IWD 2015 being "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It!," speakers also urged to ensure women’s empowerment in all sectors.
Kazi Reazul Haque, fulltime member of NHRC, said the political parties should increase participation of women at the grassroots level.
Executive Director of Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK) Sultana Kamal said: “Women have been playing an active role behind the development of this country since the Liberation War.”
“It is true that the government is empowering women but this has been happening partially. It should be enhanced in all sectors, like men are,” Sultana added.