Muhith adamant on keeping the special provision in Child Marriage Restraint Act

The provision includes exceptions in child marriages in “special cases” such as if a girl "accidentally" becomes pregnant or illegally, where a marriage will be allowed to protect her “honour.” This particular issue was discussed yesterday at a round table on “Gender Based Violence and its impact on Bangladesh's Development,” jointly organised by UNFPA Bangladesh and The Daily Star, at The Daily Star centre attended by Finance Minister AMA Muhith where he stuck to his guns on the provision even after hearing legitimate concerns about the legal loophole this will create in increasing child marriage and child sexual abuse. Ranjan Karmaker, executive director of Steps, asked why this provision is not a part of Marriage Register Act because having it in the Child Marriage Restraint Act gives the wrong message to people and emboldens child sexual molesters. The minister responded by saying: “Good argument! But I don't accept it because the government has to act according to public perception and public opinion.” “In the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2016 the provision is governed by rules where they have to seek permission from the court and consent from both the parties and their parents,” he also said. Following his speech, National Human Right Commission Chairman Kazi Reazul Haque said this provision would be misused by taking advantage of the loopholes in the act and suggested they drop the provision entirely. Senior Deputy Director of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Nina Goswami said judging from the tone of the minister's speech the act is mostly likely going to pass with the provision in it. “The minister spoke about parental consent as a preventative measure but it is the parents who play a key role in arranging child marriages. We cannot legalise child marriage by keeping such provisions,” she said. UNFPA Senior Consultant Shifa Hafiza said not only will the provision create confusion but will increase child marriage rates from 66% to 90%. On 22 November, Turkey withdrew their own controversial bill on child marriage amid a national backlash and protests with a similar provision exempting legal actions against those who marry under-age girls to save their “honour.” Critics said it would legitimise statutory rape and encourage the practice of taking child brides, BBC reported on Tuesday.