By Rina Akter, from Singair, Manikganj
A workshop on preventing child marriage and gender-based violence was held at Singair Government High School recently under the slogan “Stop Ragging and Bullying, Build Gender-Friendly Institutions.”
School teachers, marriage registrars, religious leaders, and youth representatives participated in the event arranged by BARCIK to discuss practical measures to prevent child marriage and violence against women and children.
The session was presided over by the school’s head teacher A.K.M. Arifur Rahman and conducted by Nazrul Islam, Project Officer of BARCIK. The workshop’s concept note was presented by Rina Akter, Project Facilitator at BARCIK. Among others, Senior Religious Teacher Md. Harun-or-Rashid, Kazi Abdul Khalek, Assistant Teacher Md. Shamim Khan, and Assistant Teacher Shirin Akter spoke at the event.
Speakers emphasized that child marriage and violence against women and children remain widespread social problems in Bangladesh. As teachers and conscious citizens, they said, it is everyone’s responsibility to raise awareness and follow government regulations strictly. They proposed introducing a “Virgin Incentive” program offering educational support, recognition, and other opportunities to young girls who remain unmarried until reaching legal age as a positive motivation to discourage child marriage.
The participants also called for stronger community awareness campaigns and collaboration among schools, families, and local authorities to eliminate such harmful practices.
