Drugs and child marriage among main obstacles to raising literacy in Baliakandi: deputy commissioner

Photo: Collected

Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parveen has said drugs and child marriage are among the main obstacles to raising the literacy rate in Baliakandi. She said this while speaking as chief guest at a courtyard meeting held on Tuesday afternoon to prevent drugs, child marriage, dowry, violence against women and criminal tendencies.

The union parishad itself organised the meeting on the Baliakandi Sadar Union Parishad premises. Union Parishad Chairman Md Alamgir Biswas presided.

The deputy commissioner said people from all walks of society must play a role in preventing these social problems. For this, a committee involving everyone needs to be formed. Every member of the family must be aware in order to eliminate social crimes. She also said child marriage brings devastating harm to a person’s life.

Baliakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Syed Murad Islam, upazila Krishak Dal president Md Mohsin Khan and local resident Aktaruzzaman also spoke at the meeting. Members of Baliakandi Sadar Union Parishad, local businesspeople, dignitaries and students of various educational institutions were present.

By the numbers

According to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022, the rate of marriage of girls under 18 in the country is 50 per cent — Prothom Alo reported this in a report.

According to the government survey BSVS-2023, at least 41.6 per cent of young women in the country were married before turning 18 — a report by The Daily Star Bangla.

At a glance

The same report by The Daily Star Bangla said that under the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017, the minimum age of marriage for girls is 18.

Sources

Original report: Bangladesh Pratidin

Background sources: Prothom Alo, date not specified; The Daily Star Bangla, date not specified