The risk grew even further as the number of raped girl children increased ever since the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 was passed on February 27 with a special provision allowing underage marriage, they said. The special provision of the Child Marriage Restraint Act has intensified the danger, causing rape incidents to increase,” said ASK Executive Director Sheepa Hafiza. Referring to an estimate of the organisation, she also expressed her concern over the rape of underage girls and cases filed after the incidents. According to Section 19 of the law, a child marriage should not be considered an offence if it meant for the interest of an underage girl. On contrary, the law puts boys below 21 and girls under 18 years in the underage category, saying any marriage involving one or both parties below the legal age will be considered child marriage.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 15, 2017 18:33 UTC