Rights groups yesterday protested the cabinet's approval of the draft of the 'Child Marriage Prevention Act 2016' fixing minimum age for girls' marriage at 18 years and incorporating a provision for "special marriage".
The provision in the draft says girls under 18 can get married in special cases subject to clearance from the court and parents' consent. Rights groups demand immediate amendment in the draft Child Marriage Prevention Act 2016.
They made the call while addressing a human chain in the city. Mustafa Kamal Akanda moderated the event. On behalf of the organizers, Ferdous Ara Rumme opined that culprits are feared to abuse the special provisions. Subal Sarkar said a girl under 18 is not physically matured.
Thus marriage of a girl under 18 will definitely cause serious threat to her life creating many physical problems. "It will also lead birth of immature or malnutrition babies.” The activists demanded passage of the Act without keeping any condition.