M. Jahirul Haque: A Beacon of Hope in the Battle Against Child Marriage.

user Null

16 Jan, 2025

"To secure our society, it is imperative to halt child marriage. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Johns Hopkins for their distinctive and timely initiatives," said M. Jahirul Haque. In the picturesque coastal town of Ukhiya in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, a silent but deadly menace lurked in the shadows - child marriage. For years, this quiet crisis had affected countless young lives, robbing children of their childhood and a promising future. However, in this battle against tradition and societal norms, M. Jahirul Haque, the Headteacher of Moricha Palong Government Primary School, emerged as a beacon of hope. With an illustrious service tenure of over 19 years, Mr. Jahirul Haque was not merely an educator; he was a tireless advocate for change. He had witnessed the tragic consequences of child marriages far too often in his community, and he was determined to put an end to this scourge. When he had the opportunity to attend a Child Marriage Prevention Committees (CMPC) workshop organized by Johns Hopkins, he seized it eagerly. "The way the workshop was organized, I found it so impressive and informative on the issue of child marriage," he said, reflecting on his experience. "They applied audio-visuals which made us understand the bad impact on society, especially on underage children." Jahirul Haque was not only impressed by the workshop's content but also by its practical approach in equipping attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to combat child marriage effectively. Equipped with newfound insights and a deep sense of responsibility, Mr. Jahirul Haque returned to his community with a mission. Cox's Bazar had long been a child marriage-prone area, but winds of change were beginning to blow. Families and community members are gradually becoming aware of the harmful consequences of child marriage. As a respected teacher, Jahirul Haque has a prominent presence in the community, which he leveraged to address not only child marriage but also related issues like eve-teasing. He understood that eve-teasing often played a pivotal role in pushing girls into child marriages, as their parents felt threatened and insecure about their daughters' safety. When a parent or a female student complained of being a victim, Jahirul Haque took it upon himself to mediate, mentoring the offenders and engaging their parents to end this menace. If his efforts alone proved insufficient, Jahirul Haque is not afraid to escalate the matter. He involved the local Union Parishad chairman, members, and even government officials when necessary. His unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of children made him a powerful force against child marriage in his community. But Jahirul Haque's dedication didn’t stop there. He takes every opportunity to address the issue of child marriage during school parent meetings. He reminds parents that their daughters are excelling academically and that it was their responsibility to ensure their girls' education continued. By challenging traditional norms and promoting the value of education for girls, he is showing the seeds of change in the minds of parents. M. Jahirul Haque's tireless efforts, bolstered by the knowledge he gained from the CMPC workshop, had a profound impact on his community. Slowly but surely, the mindset that extend child marriage is shifting, replacing by an understanding of the importance of education and the need to protect the rights of children. In the battle to end child marriage, M. Jahirul Haque is standing as a testament to the power of one individual's dedication and the transformative potential of education. His journey is not only about rescuing children from the clutches of early marriage but also about rescuing an entire society from the chains of a harmful tradition.