Teenagers’ IP Team Stops Child Marriage

OLD DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Prachajo is the leader of a teenagers’ IP Team. They began actively working to stop child (forced) marriage. They were confronted with this urgent, relevant and winnable when parents arranged a forced marriage for their friend. The IP Team went to her house and talked to the parents, bringing the whole family together to convince them not only of the immorality of this action, but also its illegality.

This did not work. The IP Team organized more pressure against the families. They got village elders and authorities to put pressure on them and held protest rallies on behalf of the would-be bride. Bangladesh also has an IP Team of lawyers. They went to its leader Mr. Mohibissho for help. The lawyers came in and threatened to sue the family. The families decided to call it off and wait until the bride was over 18.