In Mymensingh's Trishal upazila, child marriage has a dynamic new foe: a brigade of schoolgirls. Led by Mahbuba Alam Tripti, the group that originally consisted of 12 students studying in classes six to nine, with more girls since encouraged to join, is determined to eradicate eve-teasing and child marriage. Having prevented 10 child marriages in the last two months alone, they're proving a force to be reckoned with.

“Since we started our efforts we have only gained enthusiasm,” says Tripti. “We have received a lot of spontaneous support from guardians and locals in general. So far, we have contacted over a hundred families to discuss the pitfalls of child marriage and their response is overwhelmingly positive.” The group also organises student meetings at schools.

Based in Balipara union and equipped with uniforms, caps and bicycles, the group's motto is “prevention is better than cure.” The initiative is the brainchild of Trishal's upazila nirbahi officer, Jafor Ripon, who has assured the girls of round-the-clock assistance from the upazila administration. The brigade was inaugurated by Mymensingh's Deputy Commissioner Md Khalilur Rahman on 31 October last year.

Some of the girls along with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jafor Ripon holding a courtyard meeting to convince some local families that child marriage is a bad idea. The photos were taken recently. Photo: Star

 “Recently we visited Dhala Rishipara,” says Tripti. “It's an area where many scheduled caste people live. They are often unaware of the negative consequences of early marriage, which is the reason such marriages are commonplace there.”

“We held several courtyard meetings,” she continues, “and were able to convince 39 families that child marriage is a really bad idea. Our upazila nirbahi officer was on hand to participate.”

“Along with other women in our area, at the brigade's discussion meeting I learnt about the adverse effects of early marriage,” says Rishipara mother-of-five Laxmi Rani.

“I was really inspired by the brigade's activities in our area,” says Secondary School Certificate candidate Boby Rishi, from the same locality. “I want to work with them.”

“The families we spoke to in Rishipara are now committed not to marrying off their daughters before the girls reach maturity,” says Jafor Ripon.

“To help the brigade,” he continues, “we have established a hotline number where any of the brigade's members can report to the administration as soon as they become aware that a child marriage has been arranged or is about to be arranged.”

Brigade members have found that it is much easier to prevent child marriages before arrangements are finalised. Later, it becomes socially embarrassing for all parties when a wedding is cancelled.

Rafiqul Alam works as the brigade's local coordinator. “I always accompany the girls when they lead discussions,” he says. “I am so proud to be a partner in their noble work.”

“With the girls monitoring our area and ready to intervene, there is a great deal of hope that child marriage can be relegated to history, where it belongs,” says the chairman of Balipara union's council, Golam Mohammad Badal.

By the end of this month, it is planned to establish a similar girls' brigade in each of the remaining eleven unions of the upazila, says an optimistic Jafor Ripon.