Child Marriage: Bangladesh Tops in Asia

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh ranks first in Asia for child marriage and is eighth globally among countries with the highest rates of child marriage. According to recent data, 51.4% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, which is considered child marriage under Bangladeshi law.

This information was revealed in a joint report by UNICEF, UN Women, and Plan International, released on Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day.

The report, titled “Girls’ Goals: What Has Changed for Girls? Adolescent Girls’ Rights Over 30 Years,” emphasizes the need for investment and policy changes to empower adolescent girls.

The report highlights that adolescent girls in Bangladesh continue to face discrimination, violence, child marriage, lack of educational opportunities, and limited access to resources. Additionally, 24% of women aged 20 to 24 gave birth before turning 18.

In the past year, 28% of girls aged 15 to 19 experienced physical or sexual violence by their partners. Among married adolescent girls in this age group, only 47% can make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Furthermore, the secondary school completion rate for adolescent girls in Bangladesh is 59.22%. Bangladesh is also among the seven countries globally where less than 2% of adolescent girls and young women have digital literacy skills, indicating a significant gap in this area.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, said, “Adolescent girls in Bangladesh have the potential to build a prosperous future for the country. However, various obstacles and discrimination are holding them back. Equal opportunities for all can help eliminate this disparity.”