National multimedia campaign launched to end child marriage

A national multimedia campaign has been launched to raise awareness and trigger behavioural and social change to end child marriage in Bangladesh. The campaign was launched to promote the prevention and reporting of child marriage by encouraging individuals and communities to create a social movement to hasten its end. Established by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs on Sunday, the campaign has been developed with technical and financial support from Unicef, UNFPA, and the Canadian government. Minister for Information Hasanul Haq Inu attended the launch as the chief guest and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki was the guest of honour. Using the traditional "dhol" or drum as a symbol of gaining attention and voicing protest, the campaign aims to create a rhythm for everyone to rally together to raise their voices against child marriage. Part of the campaign also includes television and radio broadcasting of public service announcements and drama serials regarding child marriage issues. In addition to print and broadcasting, digital media like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and mobile messaging will be used to create interactive platforms for young people and their parents. Unicef Bangladesh Representative Edouard Beigbeder said: “The campaign is an important part of Bangladesh’s National Plan of Action to accelerate the end of child marriage.” “The Government of Bangladesh should be commended for its effort to adopt innovative ways to increase awareness and create a supportive environment for children, their parents and communities to take action.” “It should also be noted that the government is strengthening the legal framework to prevent child marriage and provide sanction and remedies when such cases take place,” the Unicef representative added. He also warned about the misuse of any special provision since for girls under the age of 18 to get married does not serve their best interest. Unicef believes that children, both girls and boys, should be protected from the scourge of child marriage by providing them with quality education, and access to social services, knowledge and information. A protective environment at the community level is very important, particularly for young girls to protect themselves from abuse, sexual harassment, or assault. Currently, Bangladesh is witnessing progress in curbing child marriage. In early 2000, the child marriage rate for those who were married under 18 was at 68%. Over a decade, in 2011 this rate came down to 65% and then in 2013 dropped to 52%.