RANGPUR: In riverine char areas of the Brahmaputra basin of greater Rangpur region, social curses like child marriage and dowry have come to a minimum as marriage registration has already become a social tradition here.
In addition to growing awareness among char people, women's education is helping them escape these social curses, even though 100 percent marriages were child marriage and unregistered in the region even two decades ago.
However, char people are getting their children married at the right age with proper registration, which is brightening the prospects of building a better society for women and children in the char region.
Along with various government departments, the Union Digital Centers (UDC) has added a new dimension by reaching out information to common people everywhere, including char areas, which has further accelerated the process of building a healthy society.
Talking to BSS, Mozammel Haque and his wife Zohera Begum of Kharubhanj Char village in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district said they married their son Zahedul Haque with Nasima Khatun of the village with proper registration and without dowry.
While narrating feelings to BSS on their dowry-free marriage, couple Zahedul Haque and Nasima Khatun said they would ensure registered marriage of their children and never allow them in taking or giving dowry in the future.
Similarly, Monnaf Mian and his wife Merejan Begum of the same village married their son Litan Mia with Minara Khatun of nearby Char Shajai village with proper registration and without dowry.
Chairman of Northbengal Instate of Development Studies (NIDS) Dr Syed Samsuzzaman said char people are now easily getting information on gender issue, child marriage, dowry, marriage registration, safe motherhood, health, sanitation and drinking water.
Because of various awareness building activities of the government, NGOs and different social groups, the extent of social curses like child marriage and dowry has been showing a downward trend significantly.
Char women are showing more interests in marriage registration, family planning, safe motherhood and education of their children.
Many youths, women, adolescents, guardians, students and common people living in char areas are visiting the UDCs to have knowledge on the social curses and way-outs.
"Getting knowledge from the UDCs and publicities being conducted by the District Information Offices, Bangladesh Television and Betar, char people are now more aware of the negatives impacts of child marriage and dowry," Dr Zaman added.
Former Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Shahadat Hossain, a resident of Kurigram district, said that even two decades ago, char women had no idea about the negative effects of child marriage and premature birth in the char region.
"However, they are getting their daughters married at the right age through registration, adopting family planning methods and delivering their babies safely, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the char areas to zero level," he continued.
To prevent population growth by ensuring planned family formation and safe childbirth, newly married and able-bodied couples in the char region are being provided with proper family planning methods and necessary medical services for pregnant women.
"Furthermore, the incidence of dowry and domestic violence against women has decreased in the char areas, where the quality of life of char people and family peace among them have improved significantly," Dr Shahadat added.
