Recently, a disturbing news story went viral about a young mother, Laboni Akter Liza, allegedly selling her child for a mobile phone and jewelry. However, what’s crucial to note is that Liza herself is just 14 years old. Despite this, many news outlets failed to mention her age in their headlines, instead focusing on condemning her actions.
It’s essential to understand that Liza was likely a victim of child marriage, forced into a situation she wasn’t mature enough to handle. Her age and circumstances suggest she may not have had the emotional maturity to make informed decisions about her life, let alone her child. Some speculate she might be suffering from post-pregnancy complications, which could have contributed to her decision.
This incident highlights the urgent need to address child marriage in Bangladesh. By failing to mention Liza’s age in their headlines, news outlets missed an opportunity to shed light on the real issue – the devastating consequences of child marriage. Instead, the blame fell solely on the young mother.
We urge journalists to approach such stories with sensitivity and highlight the root cause of the problem. By doing so, they can help raise awareness about the need to end child marriage and protect the rights of young girls like Liza.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 