Shibganj Declared Child Marriage-Free Upazila

Shibganj Upazila of Chapainawabganj District has officially been declared child marriage-free, adopting the slogan:

“My Upazila is my responsibility, let the life of the child be free from child marriage.”

The declaration was made during a ceremony held at the Upazila Parishad auditorium earlier today. The event was organised by the Shibganj Upazila Administration with the support of the Strengthening Social and Behaviour Change (SSBC) Project of World Vision Bangladesh.

The upazila’s Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Md. Azahar Ali, formally announced Shibganj as free from child marriage during the event.

A discussion meeting was also conducted on the occasion, jointly moderated by:

• Uttam Mandal, Project Officer, SSBC Project, World Vision Bangladesh
• Md. Halim Mollah, Youth Representative

A range of government officials, representatives, and local leaders attended the programme, including:

Speakers at the event highlighted several key points:

1. Community Awareness – Continued engagement and education of the local population are crucial to prevent child marriage.
2. Law Enforcement – Strengthening enforcement of existing laws protecting children is vital.
3. Multi-Sectoral Collaboration – Effective cooperation between government, NGOs, law enforcement, and community leaders ensures the sustainability of the child marriage-free status.
4. Securing Children’s Futures – Protecting children from early marriage contributes to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for the next generation.

The declaration of Shibganj as a child marriage-free upazila marks a significant milestone in child protection and social reform efforts in Bangladesh. By combining awareness campaigns, legal safeguards, and community participation, local authorities aim to eliminate child marriage entirely and promote the well-being of children across the region.