GAIBANDHA, FEB 27, 2023 (BSS)-Speakers at a function here today said that holistic approach and united efforts of all are very crucial to stop the early marriage in a bid to build a happy and peaceful society.

“As early marriage is one of the barriers to take forward the society towards desired goal, all stakeholders of the society would have to come with positive attitude and play vital role from their respective positions to build early marriage free society”, they also said.

They made the observations at an inception program of a project entitled “Strengthening Social and Behavioral Change Programme for Prevention of Harmful Social Norms” at the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC) here this noon.

World Vision Bangladesh, a Christian organization, arranged the function under the program funded by UNICEF and European Union.

DC Oliur Rahman addressed the function as chief guest and Nezarat Deputy Collector Md Jewel Miah was present at the event as the special guest while ADC (General) Sushanta Kumer Mahato presided over the ceremony.

The inception function was also addressed among others by deputy director(DD) of department of women affairs Nargis Jahan, DD of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh Mirajul Islam, Press club president KM Rezaul Haque, senior journalist Sarker Mohammad Shahiduzzaman and coordinator of SKS Foundation Ashraful Alam.

The speakers underscored the need for building social movement against early marriage to save the immature girls from the bad impacts of child marriage.

Earlier, a welcome speech was delivered by deputy director of World Vision Jenny Mildered D’ Cruze.

Earlier, a power point presentation on overall activities of the program was held by field coordinator of world vision Tanjimul Islam.

In the presentation, Islam said the program would be implemented at Gaibandha Sadar and Fulchhari upazila of the district for the term of two years till December 2024.

Advocacy and awareness activities would be conducted among all section of people at program command areas to stop the early marriage, he added.

Area program manager Uttam Das sought whole-hearted cooperation of all stakeholders of the society to eradicate early marriage from the upazilas.

DC Oliur Rahman in his concluding speeches underlined the need for conducting the works of the program seriously to come down the early marriage rate to zero level in the command areas of the program.

The DC also assured the concerned officials and staff of the program providing need base help and assistance from the district and upazila administration to run the program peacefully and make it a grand success as well.

A good number of government officials, NGO activists, public representatives, religious leaders, and teachers including journalists attended the program.