Once a victim of child marriage herself, Anima Sultana (14), a ninth grader at Lengura High School in Netrakona's Kalmakanda upazila is now leading a 40-member "Team Aparajita", that pledges to end early marriage. 

Early marriage is very common in remote villages of Kalmakanda as most of the people in these areas live below the poverty line and parents seek to marry their daughters off early to relieve themselves of financial pressure, said Sheikh Mohammad Shamim, a local journalist.

Anima was brought up in a poor household by her maternal aunt Anwara Khatun, in Lengura Udapara area.

Alongside financial hurdles, Anima's worst nightmare was about to come true during the pandemic last year. She was arranged to marry a 50-year-old man in their locality.

Wasting no time, Anima immediately shared this with the upazila Women Affairs Officer Jannatul Islam Mim and her two teachers living adjacent to her house.

On many occasions, we had to endure abrasive behaviour from the bridal party due to our work, but we never take it to heart since our mission is clear.A member of Team Aparajita

On many occasions, we had to endure abrasive behaviour from the bridal party due to our work, but we never take it to heart since our mission is clear.

They all rushed to Anima's house instantly and managed to stop the marriage. For her bravery and proactive attitude, Anima was awarded by the upazila administration and Women Affairs Department as "Brave Girl" on March 8, 2021, marking International Women's Day.

Anima used to work with child forum organised by World Vision's local unit. There she learnt the ill-effects of early marriage.

"The number of child marriages in my locality during the lockdown was shocking!" said Anima.

In mid-2021, Anima with the help of two female HSC candidates, now married Reshma Akter and Boishaki Akter, formed a team to stop early marriage.

The team has stopped around 25 child marriages since 2021 and 17 early marriages this year, informed team member Sumaiya Akter.

Team member Najmul Hok, a 10th grader, said being informed of any incident, the team first rushes to the spot, talks to guardians and tries to persuade them about the harmful effects of child marriage.

"If they (parents) aren't convinced, then the UNO and officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police station is informed."

"They immediately respond to our call," said Najmul.

"On many occasions, we had to endure abrasive behaviour from the bridal party due to our work, but we never take it to heart since our mission is clear," said Shakil, a ninth grade volunteer.

"We also campaign against the negative effects of repression on women and children, and stalking," said Rokshana Akter, a college student.

Like many other locals, Anima's father, a furniture worker, said he's happy as the girls and boys are working for the benefit of the society.

Contacted, UNO Md Abul Hasem said the team members have done an excellent job so far. He said the members have already been given caps, T-Shirts and identity cards.

"We bear the conveyance and food costs of the team members when they visit different areas to stop child marriage. We are also thinking to provide them with bi-cycles soon," he added.

The UNO who joined Kalmakanda in March this year said it's their mission to make the upazila free from child marriage and the team's activities is gradually spreading through the entire upazila.

Md Abdul Ahad Khan, officer-in-charge of Kalmakanda Police Station, said the team contacts the law enforcers before every drive and they are supported accordingly.