Marriages are often heard by hiding the identity or previous marriage information. Child marriage has not been prevented yet. Illegal multiple marriages and child marriages are creating social chaos. On the other hand, due to lack of accurate data on marriages and divorces of citizens, in many cases, there is a problem in compiling the list of beneficiaries of social security programs. To solve these problems, the government has taken initiative to build a national database by bringing marriage and divorce registration online. To this end, the Law and Justice Department has launched a project called 'Online Marriage and Divorce'.
The project has been taken up as part of the Cabinet Department's 'Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)' program. CRVS is the management of a single ID or identity number in the form of significant data flow of civic life flow and to ensure government services based on it.
A senior law ministry official said the main purpose of the project was to protect citizen data as well as to stop marriage and child marriage by concealing information. Both are criminal offenses under the country's criminal law. Due to these, dowry and even suicides are happening. A framework for the project has been created. Under the project, a software will be developed to build a central database on marriage and divorce.
He added that Android mobiles will be provided to marriage registrars across the country to use the software. Training will be given. Marriage or divorce must be registered with certain information. Therefore, the software will be arranged in such a way that there will be no opportunity to hide the age. Besides, if someone is married before, his information will automatically go to the marriage registrar. The main server of the database will be set up in the law and justice department. Backup server will be set up in Bangladesh Computer Council. There will also be an arrangement so that the citizens can get the marriage registration certificate online if they want.
It is learned that initially the project will be operated on a pilot basis in 10 upazilas. After conducting pilot project for two years, nationwide project will be taken on the basis of his experience or activities. The project will be arranged with five upazilas where child marriage is more prevalent at present and five more upazilas on random basis.
The project has initially cost Tk 20 crore. The law and justice department expects the pilot project to begin next July.
