Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said a bold and secular political commitment is crucial in facing a socially sensitive challenge like child marriage.
She also feels alleviation of poverty and increased education and employment can bring a ‘natural’ end to child marriage.Speaking at the first Girl Summit in Walworth Academy in London on Tuesday, she said, “First of all I believe a bold and secular political commitment has been extremely important in tackling a socially sensitive challenge like child marriage.”
"Basically what I feel is that if poverty reduction, education and job opportunity ....if we can ensure these then naturally the child marriage will be reduced.
The UK hosted the one-day Girl Summit to make a call for ending female genital mutilation and forced marriage through internal and international dynamic action. The event is co-hosted by the Unicef.
Representatives from 55 nations joined the summit.
Hasina was the only head of the government invited to the event. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is the main initiator of the summit, also attended.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told reporters Cameron had praised Bangladesh’s achievements, especially in the MDGs, and the social movement led by the prime minister.
“This is why he invited the prime minister to the summit,” he said.
After several sessions were held at the summit, Hasina joined the high-level summit around 11:55am.
Television journalist Zeinab Badawi, who moderated the session, sat Hasina between Chantal Compaore, the first lady of Burkina Faso, and Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousafzai.
David Cameron joined the session afterwards.
Introducing Hasina, Badawi said the Bangladesh leader was among the foremost in the world working for women’s rights.
A question-answer round was held after short speeches from the participants. The prime minister spoke about her various initiatives and plans to prevent early marriage.