Increasing rates of divorce a matter of great concern

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday unveiled that the rates of early marriage of girls and divorce increased in the country in 2022. The number of child marriages in both girls under 15 and 18 years increased significantly last year compared to the past years. In all parameters, the situation worsened in rural areas compared to urban areas. Sociologists blamed school closures amid the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty, and a lack of security for the worsening situation.

Urbanisation and increased empowerment and awareness among women increased divorce rates. Before 15 years, statistics showed that 6.5 per cent of girls got married. The rate was 4.7 per cent in 2021, 4.9 per cent in 2020, 6.2 per cent in 2019 and 4.6 per cent in 2018. In 2022, the rates were 6.9 per cent in rural and 5.3 per cent in urban areas, which were 5.2 per cent and 4.6 per cent in 2021, respectively. Among girls under 18 years, 40.9 per cent got married in 2022, which was 32.4 per cent in 2021, 31.3 per cent in 2020, 41.1 per cent in 2019 and 30 per cent in 2018. In 2022, the rates were 42.9 per cent in rural and 34.9 per cent in urban areas. They were 33.8 per cent and 28.2 per cent in 2021 respectively. As for divorce, the gross rate [in every thousand people] increased to 1.4 in 2022 from 0.7 in 2021. It was 0.8 in 2020, 1 in 2019, and 0.9 in 2018. In rural areas, in 2022, the gross divorce rate was 1.5 per thousand people. It was 0.8 in 2021, 0.9 in 2020, and 1.1 each in 2019 and 2018.

Amid school closures during the pandemic, many parents arranged marriages for their daughters, considering the security of their girls, social pressure, and saving daily family expenses. Due to individualistic attitudes, urbanisation, globalisation, cultural differences, and increased awareness among women, divorce rates increased significantly. We know the main reason behind child marriages is poverty, followed by a lack of security, especially for sexual harassment— that indicated the 15-year-long regime cannot get success to reduce extreme poverty and establish law and order.