Shahjahan Sheikh is a local matchmaker living in Chondrakhali village of Rampal Upazila under Bagerhat district. For many years, he has been working as a matchmaker in his community. He prefers this work over other jobs because people respect him for this role and he also earns some money from arranging marriages. Although his income is small, it helps him support his family.
In the past, Shahjahan Sheikh arranged marriages without considering the legal age of the bride and groom. That time, he was mainly focused on earning money and did not contemplate the harmful effects of child marriage. He never considered whether the couple was mentally, physically, or socially ready for marriage.
By 17th November 2025, Shahjahan Sheikh participated in a Value Clarification Session organised by SHOMBHABANA Project at Rampal Upazila Parishad, which was implemented by JJS. Through this session, he learned about the legal age of marriage, the laws related to child marriage, and the punishments for arranging or supporting child marriage. He also learnt about the negative impacts of early marriage, such as health risks, early pregnancy, domestic violence, school dropout, poverty, and lack of decision-making capacity.
After returning home, Shahjahan Sheikh reflected deeply on what he had learned. He recalled many of the marriages he had arranged in the past where the couples were underage. He realised that most of those couples were not living happy married lives. Many young girls were suffering from poor health due to early pregnancy. Some couples were facing domestic violence and family conflicts. Many had to stop their education and were forced to work as day labourers, leading to a life of poverty. Due to lack of education and life skills, they also faced difficulties in managing their families.
When he compared these couples with those he had married at a legal and mature age, he found a clear difference. The adult couples were more educated, financially stable, healthier, and living more peaceful family lives. This realisation made him feel deeply sad and guilty about his past actions. He strongly regretted arranging child marriages and promised himself that he would never again arrange any marriage before the legal age.
A few days later, Shahjahan Sheikh received an offer to arrange the marriage. At the first Shahjahan check the birth certificate of the girl and found that the age is 17 year 154 days. This time, he immediately refused because the under ages of the girl. He explained to the girl’s guardians the dangers and long-term problems of early marriage. He talked about health risks, early childbirth, loss of education, and family violence. He also informed them about the marriage law and the legal punishment for child marriage.
Even though the guardians offered him a large amount of money, Shahjahan Sheikh remained strong in his decision and refused the offer. After listening to his explanation, the guardians understood the risks and finally decided to wait until their daughter reached the legal age for marriage.
By preventing this child marriage, Shahjahan Sheikh felt proud and satisfied. He realized that he had done a noble and responsible act. Now, he actively shares his knowledge with friends, neighbors, and other matchmakers in his community. He advises parents not to marry off their daughters early and encourages them to ensure education, safety, and a secure future for their children.
