English: "My dream is to show others that I can be independent, that girls can also earn money and look after their family."

Farzana Hasan narrowly escaped a child marriage attempt when she was only in third grade. After hearing the news, teachers at the UCEP school in Bangladesh rushed to Farzana’s mother to discuss the issue and she changed her mind. Some years later, a neighbour tried to trap Farzana into a marriage and the teachers once again rescued her. Now Farzana is still able to enjoy her study in grade 7 and wishes to get married at the right age.

This International Day of the Girl we’re celebrating successes of adolescent girls and working to break down barriers preventing them from achieving their dreams.

Information provided by UCEP www.ucepbd.org/

Background

The UK supports the UCEP programme in Bangladesh alongside other international donors including the Save the Children, Citi Bank NA, Australian High Commission, GIZ, many other local corporations, the private sector and the Government of Bangladesh. DFID has provided a £20 million programme over 4 years.

The programme’s purpose is to provide urban, poor, working children and youth – especially girls and women – with basic education, vocational skills training and the chance to gain employment in market-led technical areas.

Find out more: www.ucepbd.org/ www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/dfid-bangladesh

Picture: Ricci Coughlan/DFID

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