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http://www.writemedown.org/news/childmarriage/

Bangladesh: Helping to End Child Marriage

Bilkis, 16, has delayed marriage to pursue her education

Plan has achieved 100% birth registration in one rural district of Bangladesh and will shortly reach 100% registration in another – turning these areas into child marriage free zones.

The legal age for marriage in Bangladesh is 18 for girls, and 21 for boys. However, according to research, about half of all girls are married by the age of 15. But now that more girls have birth certificates, they can prove that they are too young to marry, which will help them to continue their education.

Bilkis, 16, from a slum in Dhaka City, knows the impact early marriage can have on a girl’s future in Bangladesh. Bilkis wants to become a teacher in her community. To achieve this she needs to complete her education - but one day she came home from school to be informed by her parents that her marriage was already arranged.

“Life is very difficult, for the unprivileged adolescent girls in my community,” said Bilkis. “We have to struggle for everything, yet most of the adolescent girls miss out on getting education, medical care and nutrition.”

Powerful voice

However, Bilkis was empowered through a group facilitated by Plan, and persuaded her family to put off the marriage until she finished her education.

“Now, I am powerful in terms of voicing my ideas, issues and concerns. Now if there are any proposals of marriage, my family dismisses them. Plan has helped my family change their perspective.”

Delaying her marriage has helped Bilkis to start realising her dreams. “I am teaching 16 poor kids whose parents are not able to spend on their education,” she said.

Plan is now working with the Bangladeshi government and UNICEF towards 100% birth registration across the country.





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