Seven courageous schoolgirls saved one of their fellows from early marriage in Nandail upazila of the district on Tuesday (11th April).
She is Nadira Akhter Panna, a Class IX student at Nandail Pilot Girls’ High School, and daughter of day labourer Chand Mia of Dashalia area in Nandail municipality.
Tuli Devnath, Sanjida Islam, Sneha Barman of Class IX and Jebunnesa Khanam, Shyama, Jannatul Islam, Rezwana Tabassum and Jerina Sultana of Class VIII, also members of an association called ‘Ghashphool’, along with government officials went to Nadira’s house at noon and stopped the marriage function.
Abdul Khaleque, headmaster of the school, said after finding Nadira absent in classroom for three days her classmates informed “Ghashphool’ members of the matter on Monday.
The association members came to know that Nadira’s parents fixed her marriage with a local pickup-van driver and the function was scheduled to be held the next day.
They later went to Nadira’s house and tried to persuade her parents to stop the marriage but the latter did not pay heed to their request, said the headmaster.
“Hearing the news, I informed Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Hafizur Rahman to take necessary steps in this regard,” added the headmaster.
Later, the UNO sent Upazila Women Affairs Officer Romana Akhter to the spot.
Romana Akhter said she along with the schoolgirls reached Nadira’s house at noon and save her from the early marriage.
UNO Hafizur hailed the effort of the girls and said they have done a tremendous job by foiling the early marriage bid.
He will have a discussion with the ‘Ghashphool’ members soon and inspire them to continue their effort in future.
Four years ago they formed ‘Ghashphool’, an association that works to create awareness against early marriage and eve teasing among local girls, said Tuli Devnath, one of the association leaders.
