Rezia's fight against early marriage

Defying mother's bid to marry her off, 15-year-old Rezia has been continuing studies from her grandmother's house in Aditmari upazila.

“I challenged my mother and said goodbye to her a year ago as she failed to understand my passion for education,” said Rezia, a Class X student at Palashi High School in the upazila.

“If she tries to force me for early marriage again I will go to the court for justice,” she added.

On April 3, 2016, Rezia Khatun, daughter of late Asim Uddin and Shahida Begum of Gopalroy village in Kaliganj upazila, foiled her mother's attempt to marry her off with a local youth without her consent.

After escaping the marriage bid, Rezia left her mother's house and started living with her maternal grandmother Latifunnesa Bewa at Taluk Palashi village in neighbouring Aditmari upazila.

Besides continuing her studies, Rezia has been campaigning against the curse of early marriage and to grow awareness among the fellow schoolgirls.

Rezia's mother Shahida said due to the poor condition of her family she tried to marry off her daughter at an early age, which she did to her two other daughters.

Rezia said although she is struggling to manage her study cost, it is far better than being a victim of early marriage.

Anwar Hossain, headmaster of Palashi High School, said they provide some facilities to Rezia from the school development fund to encourage her for her brave step.