Child marriages rob both children and the nation of their future

Precious time: Children play at Shishu Park, the only public sector children’s amusement park in Dhaka, Bangladesh. — Reuters

JHARNA (not her real name), a 14-year-old girl living in Rayerbazar slum in Dhaka, fears that her dreams may be dashed because of early marriage, by a community that expects girls to be married off and bear children even before adulthood. Jharna doesn’t want that.

“I want to complete my studies and enjoy my childhood like children living in rich areas,” she says.