Why the government is
thinking of keeping the option that girls can be given in marriage even at the age
of 16 in special cases? It is
like giving with one hand and taking with another ; the net result is zero
Age of marriage for girls
The government is mulling over ways to deal with the issue of marriage of girls aged between 16 and 18 in special cases such as elopement and unwanted pregnancy, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki said on October 18. She, however, reassured that the minimum age of marriage for girls would remain 18 in the upcoming Child Marriage Restraint Act and the government wouldnt enact any law that would have a negative impact on the lives of women. A report on this appeared in a leading daily newspaper yesterday.
That a girl can be married off even at the age of 16 in special cases does not augur well for an overpopulated country like Bangladesh. Parents, relatives and guardians of underaged girls will take advantage of the loopholes of the law and marry off their girls at lower ages. Ultimately, the fixed age of marriage for girls at 18 will lose its strength.
The issue of child marriage has triggered a lot of debates in the country. Why the government is thinking of keeping the option that girls can be given in marriage even at the age of 16 in special cases ? It is like giving with one hand and taking with another; the net result is zero. What benefit will it bring to the people of the country ? Will not the special cases become the general rule ultimately? If given a free run girls in their thousands will be married off below the prescribed age for marriage.
Marriages of underage girls or child marriages are taking place rampantly in different places of the country, particularly in rural areas. How many cases are detected and actions taken against those responsible ? It will not be prudent to allow marriage of girls before attaining the age of 18. Even one day less than 18 years should not be considered for marriage. The conscious people are realizing the adverse impacts of child marriage and hence child marriages are facing resistance in recent times. The law enforcers must be vigilant and do their best so that girls are not married off when they are below the age of 18 to stem the tide of rapid population growth.
