We, the national and international photojournalists and Pathshala teachers, posed for a group photo with Anna Kuéma, Program Manager of the World Press Photo Foundation, after her insightful presentation and discussion in two separate sessions on WPP Education and the upcoming World Press Photo Contest 2025 submission guidelines, among other topics.
Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of early marriage in the world.Almost two-thirds of the women between 20 and 24 were married before the age 18, according to a national survey by Plan Bangladesh and ICDDR,B in 2013.The negative impact of child marriage is acknowledge worldwide and consequently there are a host of policies and programmes that focus strongly on its prevention.
Married Adolescent in Bangladesh
65% of Bangladeshi girls are married off before the age of 18 and approximately one third of women aged 20 to 24 were married off by the age of 15 ( UNICEF )
240 women in every 100,000 live birth die from pregnancy related cause ( UNDP 2013 )
It is necessary to protect child rights of girls who have already entered marriage. Through my photo project I would like to show the present condition about the early married girls, especially their daily life activates and the married girls empowering through the Image Project. The project titled Initiatives for Married Adolescent Girl’s Empowement (IMAGE) aims to ensure a life with dignity for early married girls in Bangladesh by improving their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights ( SRHR ).In this context, IMAGE working for married adolescent girl’s empowerment.
Effect of Child-marriage
Maternal Mortality during childbirth
Child-Mortality
Post-natal Complication
Unable to continue Education
Isolation and lack of Social Visibility
Unable to engage in Income Generating Activities
Young married girls are more likely to drop out of school and, consequently, miss opportunities in gainful employment later in life. Teenage pregnancy, before the age of physical maturity, increases the risk of birth complications and giving birth to a low-birth-weight baby, which is closely linked to child stunting.
The power imbalance between young brides and their husbands make girls more susceptible to domestic violence and other risks. Overall, early marriage keeps young brides and their children from reaching their full physical, economic, and social potential.
I try to shown my photo story as well as married girls aware of their rights, health condition, social position and their empowering in our society in Bangladesh.I think, in my depth storytelling to make concern and aware world wide audience and policy maker. I have been blessed that time and working on this project, the world has started to take notice of the importance of addressing Child Marriage and their human rights.Now there are conferences and gatherings where grassroots organization gather to talk about the issue.To me its quite lovely in that respect through Image Project.
Notes: The project, a work-in-progress . . .
Salina Audio:
Married Adolescent Girl’s Empowerment~ Salina 19 , Married at the age of 16. She said after her marriage suffer more like health complication, sexual relation.So need to stop the child marriage and empowering the girl’s who suffer more . She educated herself and pass the SSC exam. Now she works as a school teacher in the village of Ramchandrapure. Gaibandha, Bangladesh. Photo: Monirul AlamMarried Adolescent Girl’s Empowerment~ Rupali Begum 20, She read in class seven after that she married. She was not wanted as early married but her family do it. She said married girl suffer many complication. She lives with her father’s house. Her husband works abroad. They have two children. Photo: Monirul AlamMarried Adolescent Girl’s Empowerment~ Mazada Khatun 19 , When she was 17 she married to Md Samiul. She said after my marriage I suffer health complication with my eye problem. I think need to change child marriage system. Mazada doing house hold work to support her family. Photo: Monirul AlamMarried Adolescent Girl’s Empowerment~ Hawoa 18, married at the age of 16. She divorce to her husband Sabuj, because Sabuj is a drug addicted person and not doing anything, presently Hawoa live with her child in her father’s house, She wanted to work and established herself. Photo: Monirul AlamHawoa Audio :
Photo: Monirul Alam
The Bangladesh government endorsed in draft law on 25 November, 2016 for preventing child marriage fixing 18 years as the minimum age for girls to get married but kept a provision for special circumstances under which girls below the age could tie the knot. Women and rights bodies demanded cancellation of the provision terming it contrary to the very law that has been proposed. According to the draft, men 21 and above could get married and if either the groom or the bride or both are below 21 and 18, it would be considered a child marriage and an offence. [ News Published on 26 November 2016 The Daily Star ]
Finally We received our certificate from brac and pathshala, during our certificate giving ceremony on 19th April, 2014, at the BRAC University hall with the faculty members of BRAC vice Chancellor Prof. Ainun Nishat , Prof. Firdous Azim, Head of the Department English and PATHSHALA Arnob Chakarrbarty , Head of the Department Broadcast and Cross-Media, Muhammad Aminnuzzaman, Faculty member with all participants Fall-2013 to take poses for group photos. The BRAC University and PATHSHALA in Collaboration with Erasmus University, Rotterdam the Netherlands organized a Post-Graduation Certificate Course in Broadcast & Cross-Media Journalism. Photo Credit by Salek Khokon
Finally I was successfully completed in my Post-Graduation Certificate Course in Broadcast & Cross-Media Journalism under the BRAC University and PATHSHALA in Collaboration with Erasmus University, Rotterdam the Netherlands. BRAC University and PATHSHALA organized a certificate ceremony in upcoming month (March, 2014) hopefully.
During our long term courses I learned a lot, especially in a new media concept to apply my professional point of view, like Cross-Media Communication experiences that happen across multiple media, like the Internet, web, video, film, broadcast and cable TV, mobile devices, DVD, print, and radio. Yes, it’s a long experience journey for wondering wisdom. Our final project is highly appreciated from the Academics of BRAC & PATHSHALA.
I thanks to all of my colleagues, friends and staff to get me an opportunity to learn it. I hope it would be a good drives for me to applying in our New Media World. My personal goals are focused around repeatedly improving myself through education and applying my professional fields with new experience. It is also important to me to find financial stability in life through progressing in my career and achieving my goals . . .
MONIRUL ALAM 