By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan has urged the Bangladesh prime minister to maintain the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18 years.

Kofi Annan, currently chair of The Elders, a group of independent leaders working together for peace and human rights across the globe, made the call in an open letter sent to Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

On behalf of The Elders, Annan said they were concerned to learn that the cabinet has recently approved language in the draft Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014 to lower the minimum age of marriage from 18 to 16 years for girls.

Warning of the dangers of lowering the age, he said: “Such a change in legislation would undermine efforts to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of girls and women across Bangladesh.

“We urge you to maintain the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18 years of age,” the letter said.

Annan praised Hasina’s government for committing to end child marriage.

However, he warned that lowering the age of marriage for girls would be “a step in the wrong direction” that would “undermine efforts to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of girls and women across Bangladesh”, with particularly harmful effects for maternal and child health.

“Girls who are married and out of school do not contribute to Bangladesh’s economic development and prosperity, perpetuating cycles of poverty,” he added.

Bangladesh has made impressive progress in improving maternal and child health over the past decade, however this progress will be hindered if the proposal to reduce the age of marriage goes forward, he said.

Kofi Annan termed child marriage a major violation of human rights.