Bangladesh leads Asia in child marriage

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh continues to face significant challenges related to high rates of child marriage, gender inequality, violence, and limited opportunities for girls, as highlighted by a recent global report.

The country has the highest child marriage rate in Asia, with 51 percent of women aged 20-24 having married before the age of 18. The report, titled “Girl Goals: What Has Changed for Girls? Adolescent Girls’ Rights Over 30 Years,” was released by UNICEF, UN Women, and Plan International to mark International Women’s Day.

The report underscores that Bangladesh’s alarming statistic places it among the top nations globally struggling with this harmful practice.

It emphasises the importance of investing in adolescent girls, noting that such investments not only empower individuals but also contribute significantly to the economic development and stability of communities and nations.

While the report acknowledges progress made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration in areas such as education and healthcare access, it raises concerns about the persistent challenges faced by adolescent girls in Bangladesh, particularly regarding inequalities, violence, and restricted educational and economic opportunities.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF’s representative in Bangladesh, stressed the urgent need for change.

“Adolescent girls in Bangladesh want to contribute to a flourishing Bangladesh where they can embrace opportunities and support their country to thrive. Yet, barriers and discrimination continue to hold them, and their country, back,” he said.

Flowers highlighted that access to life skills and digital literacy is crucial, but addressing the concerning rates of child marriage and violence against girls remains a top priority.

He warned that these issues often lead to early and risky childbearing, endangering the lives of both mother and child.
“This International Women’s Day, let’s break barriers and create equal opportunities, inspiring hope for all.

We must amplify girls’ voices and ensure their participation in decision-making,” Flowers added.

Gitanjali Singh, UN Women’s representative in Bangladesh, reflected on the slow and uneven progress made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration.

“As we commemorate 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, we celebrate progress on the rights of women and girls, while acknowledging that gains have been slow, fragile, and uneven.

In Bangladesh, many young girls remain out of school, at risk of harmful practices and violence,” she said.

Singh stressed the need for collective efforts to unlock the potential of adolescent girls. “An all-hands-on-deck approach is essential to unlock their potential. Investing in their empowerment and leadership is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do,” she added.

According to the report, Bangladesh’s secondary school completion rate for adolescent girls stands at 59.22 percent. The findings call for substantial government action and support from stakeholders to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for girls’ education.

The study also highlights that Bangladesh is one of only seven countries where the proportion of adolescent girls and young women with digital skills is 2 percent or lower, further limiting their opportunities.