Jakarta (VNA) – A forum on child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) was held inJakarta, Indonesia on March 6 by the ASEAN Secretariat in combination with the UN Children'sFund, UN Population Fund ,and the Plan International.

The event was a dialogue of action and orientation among relevant parties includinggovernments, policymakers, youth organisations, civil social organisations, andprivate sectors in ASEAN countries.

It offered an opportunity for delegates to discuss strategic plans and actions toempower girls and women as well as eliminate CEFM, in line with the ASEANCommunity Vision 2025 and the Millennium Development Goals.

In his opening speech, Deputy General Secretary of ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity Kung Phoak stressed that CEFM is not only an issue for some countriesin Southeast Asia, but also a major challenge for all ASEAN countries in ensuringthe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC) and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

These problems stem from gender inequality and discrimination, long-standingcustoms and traditions, and a lack of education and opportunities for the poor,he said.

Thissituation has caused a wave of knock-on effects, hindering the progress ofsociety by taking away the childhoods, right to an education, and opportunitiesfor millions of children, especially girls, across Asia.

It also leads to greater risk of violence, abuse, poor health, or prematuredeath, he added.

Solutionsto this complex problem require the comprehensive coordination of many relevantparties and a determination to implement political commitments into sustainableand concrete actions.

Participants also pointed out evidence and data on the popularity of CEFM,highlighting challenges in addressing this issue, and calling for efforts andactions to promote gender equality and women empowerment,especially the elimination of CEFM in ASEAN countries.–VNA