Rokiya Aktar: A Brave Advocate Against Child Marriage

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16 Jan, 2025

Rokiya Aktar, a remarkable 17-year-old girl hailing from Ukhiya, has emerged as a shining bonfire of hope and change in her community. Despite facing financial constraints, Rokiya's parents, deeply progressive in their mindset, have always prioritized education for their children. Rokiya is the fourth daughter among her five siblings, all of whom have received education to the best of their parents' abilities. Rokiya's elder sister even managed to complete her education up to HSC and get married at the age of 20. "My father has always done his best for our education. He firmly believes that both sons and daughters should be educated, and he spares no effort in ensuring our education," Rokiya proudly states. Rokiya's awakening regarding the grave consequences of child marriage began during her participation in an Interactive Popular Theater (IPT) event organized by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) on June 22, 2023, at the Jaliapalong Union Parishad premises in Ukhiya. Rokiya first learned about the IPT show through CCP staff members who had been conducting various discussions and meetings in her neighborhood with women and adolescent girls, emphasizing the importance of preventing child marriage and discussing the steps to take if such a situation arose in the community. She actively participated in these discussions. Her profound realization about the impact of child marriage on adolescents took root after witnessing the IPT show. The story closely mirrored the challenges faced by growing adolescent girls and boys, highlighting how their misguided actions could lead to dire consequences. The narrative revolved around an adolescent girl who initially shirked school and engaged in wrongful activities. When her family discovered her actions, they decided to arrange her marriage. However, the girl eventually recognized her mistake and chose to prioritize her education over marriage. Rokiya shared her experience and newfound knowledge, stating, "The story in the IPT show resonated deeply with our own experiences. As growing adolescents, we sometimes engage in harmful activities that can have lasting repercussions. The story portrayed how we can choose education over child marriage if we realize our mistakes in time." She further emphasized, "Parents alone are not responsible for child marriages; as their children, we also share the responsibility of avoiding wrongful activities that can lead to child marriages." Rokiya admitted that prior to watching the IPT show, she had limited awareness of the severe consequences of child marriage. Her understanding expanded during the interactive discussion session held after the performance. Recently, she, along with two friends, successfully intervened to prevent a child marriage. "We learned that a neighbor's family was planning to marry off their underage daughter, just 15 years old. My two friends, my elder sister, and I visited their home to speak with the parents. We discussed the detrimental effects of child marriage, explained the relevant Govt. laws, and shared the story of another girl in our community whose child marriage had ended in divorce because she couldn't meet her in-laws' expectations regarding household duties. Despite initial resistance from the mother, with the support of CCP staff, we managed to prevent the marriage," Rokiya recounted enthusiastically. Rokiya's activism knows no bounds. She actively engages with her peers and other underage girls in her community, educating them about the consequences of child marriage and how to prevent it. With a radiant smile, she said, "I have informed my peers about the importance of preventing child marriage, the physical and mental toll it takes, and the steps to stop it. I also know the hotline numbers for seeking help from government law enforcement authorities—109 and 10921—information I received from CCP staff during their discussions on child marriage." Rokiya Aktar's unwavering courage and dedication serve as an inspiration to all. She continues to work tirelessly to protect her peers and ensure a brighter future for the girls in her community, one where education and empowerment prevail over the dark shadow of child marriage. Rokiya Aktar has emerged as a symbol of courage, determination, and change. Her journey from an ordinary student to a passionate advocate against child marriage serves as an inspiring case story of how education and awareness can empower young individuals to create positive change in their society.