Badarganj upazila of Rangpur will be the first upazila to become free from the social curses of child marriage and dowry by setting up a unique example, in the near future.
Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Deloar Bakht, the chief guest, made the announcement at a views-sharing meeting organised by Badarganj upazila administration at its auditorium on Wednesday
“A comprehensive social movement will be launched involving public representatives, civil society members, GO-NGO officials, marriage registrars, community and religious leaders, guardians, teachers, students, professionals, socio-cultural activists and elite to achieve the goal,” he said.
With Badarganj UNO Khandker Ishtiaque Ahmed in the chair, Deputy Commissioner Farid Ahammad attended the meeting, participated by officials, public representatives, professionals and civil society members, as the special guest.
Badarganj Upazila Chairman Biswanath Sarker Bitu, pourashava Mayor Uttam Kumar Saha, former upazila Awami League president Obaidul Haque Chowdhury, Upazila Agriculture Officer Ziaul Haque, Secondary Education Officer Mobasser Hassan, Women Affairs Officer Roksana Banu Habib, Ansar-VDP Officer Maksudar Rahman, union Chairmen Asaduzzaman Chowdhury Sablu, journalist Ruhul Amin Sarker and upazila secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik Mahfuzar Rahman addressed the meeting.
The speakers narrated the dangerous impacts and torments of child marriage, dowry, violence and repressions on the premature girls. These traditions were leading the girls to devastated and catastrophic lives destroying future and increasing neonatal, maternal and children deaths in rural areas.
They expressed desire to eliminate child marriage and dowry through collective initiatives and rectifying the previously committed mistakes through launching the renaissance from Badarganj upazila.
They expressed firm confidence that Badarganj would become the first upazila in building a healthy society free from child marriage to empowerment the women in the society.