‘It made me think’: going against the tide to stop a child marriage

Above: Mohammad Sayed Alam, who stopped the child marriage of his son. Photo: World Vision Bangladesh

In the fishing village of Uttar Sonarpara in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, it is common for children to drop out of school at a young age. Child marriage has also been the norm.

Fisherman Mohammad Sayed Alam has lived in the village for 12 years, and was never particularly concerned about these issues. He saw no need to push against the tide.

"Here, no parents care about the education of their child. Almost all of the children in my village drop out from school and engage in fishing. We had no knowledge about early and child marriage,” he said.

But now, his perspective has changed.

Sayed Alam was invited to attend Community-Based Child Protection Committee (CBCPC) meetings organised by World Vision as part of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh.

The response is working in both host communities, like Uttar Sonarpara, and Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. World Vision’s focus in the response is early childhood development, child protection and disability inclusion.

A total of 28 Community-Based Child Protection Committees have been set up in Jaliapalong Union, where Uttar Sonarpara is located. Committee members hold monthly meetings, and World Vision staff attend to discuss issues such as child marriage, child trafficking and child labour.

“I first heard about the child protection issues in the CBCPC meeting, and I was amazed. I didn't know anything about this matter. It made me think,” Sayed Alam said.

But Sayed Alam didn’t realise just how much the meetings had changed his views until he found out that his son had eloped with an underage girl.

"When I heard my 19-year-old son eloped with a girl, I immediately recalled the helpline number 1098 that was shared in the CBCPC meeting. I called that number and asked for their help," Sayed Alam said.

1098 is a confidential child helpline to assist children and young people with any kind of problem or protection issue. The helpline can be reached by dialing 1098 from any part of Bangladesh at any time of day, including holidays.

Receiving the call, local social service officers took the necessary steps to stop the marriage. Officers also counselled the boy and girl.

"The CBCPC is helping us on child protection issues,” said Al Mahmud Hossen, one of the Social Service Officers who responded. “It has created awareness among the community, and getting information on this issue is easier now.”

Sayed Alam’s actions have also created further awareness on child marriage in his community. He hopes this continues to shift the tide, and change attitudes on child protection.