Bangladesh has highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
September 22, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
Bangladesh has highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF

Bangladesh

UNB
07 October, 2020, 06:10 pm
Last modified: 07 October, 2020, 06:13 pm

Related News

  • 4,725kg hilsa exported to India
  • Nothing to lose from visa restrictions: Shahriar Alam
  • US announcement on visa restriction will give momentum to democracy restoration movement: BNP
  • US begins steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshis involved in undermining democratic election process: State dept
  • PM for redouble global support to end Rohingya crisis

Bangladesh has highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF

A new UNICEF report calls for accelerated action to end child marriage in Bangladesh by 2030

UNB
07 October, 2020, 06:10 pm
Last modified: 07 October, 2020, 06:13 pm
Representational Image. Photo: UNB
Representational Image. Photo: UNB

Despite significant progress in recent years, Bangladesh has the highest prevalence of child marriage in South Asia and ranks among 10 countries in the world with the highest levels, said UNICEF on Wednesday.

A new UNICEF report calls for accelerated action to end child marriage in Bangladesh by 2030.

The report "Ending Child Marriage: A Profile of Progress in Bangladesh" was launched on Wednesday at a virtual event which was attended by representatives from the UN, the Government, Development Partners and Adolescent Clubs.

Ending child marriage is a priority for both the Government of Bangladesh and UNICEF.

However, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target to end child marriage by 2030, and the national target to end child marriage by 2041, Bangladesh requires more efforts to bring change.

Progress must be at least 8 times faster than the rate of the past decade to meet the national target, and 17 times faster to meet the SDG target.

"Together we must challenge harmful norms and end child marriage. This human rights violation has devastating consequences for individuals and societies, robbing children of their childhoods and limiting their life choices. We must invest now to secure girls' rights to life and education, and reduce their exposure to violence and exploitation," said Veera Mendonca, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Bangladesh.

While the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh has dropped from over 90 per cent in 1970, it remains very high: 51 per cent women who are currently aged 20-24 were married while they were still children.

As a result, the country is home to 38 million child brides who were married before their 18th birthday, including 13 million who married before the age of 15.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic now threatens to roll back progress on ending child marriage.

As children and families cope with school closures, loss of income and increased pressure in the home, there are heightened risks of child marriage.

This is one of the reasons why UNICEF is urging governments globally to prioritise the safe re-opening of schools. Even during normal times married girls are over four times more likely to be out of school than unmarried girls.

"Girls must be encouraged to return to education to advance their knowledge and skills," said Dr Abul Hossain, Deputy Secretary, Project Director, Multi-Sectoral Programme to End Violence Against Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

He said those with an education beyond secondary school are least likely to be child brides, even if they are from poorer households and live in rural areas. "Education is our greatest tool to transform society and bring equal opportunities for girls."

UNICEF collaborates with a broad coalition of partners – including the Government, civil society and NGOs – to shift social norms as well as the structural causes of gender inequality, such as laws and policies.

This gives girls a wider range of life options, including staying in school. UNICEF also works to empower adolescent girls, promoting their agency and voice on both traditional and digital platforms.

In addition, UNICEF supports the Government's National Action Plan to End Child Marriage by generating evidence that can inform policies and actions, and by helping to ensure that there are social protection systems in place for adolescent girls, especially for those who are most marginalized.

Top News

Unicef / Child marriage / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • File photo of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam. Photo: UNB
    Nothing to lose from visa restrictions: Shahriar Alam
  • US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu. Photo: Collected
    Visa restrictions imposed on law enforcers, ruling party, and opposition: US Envoy Donald Lu
  • Photo: TBS
    12 hours after heavy rain, many places still waterlogged

MOST VIEWED

  • Foodpanda up for sale in most Asian markets. What about Bangladesh?
    Foodpanda up for sale in most Asian markets. What about Bangladesh?
  • Bangladesh-Myanmar visa exemption reinstated
    Bangladesh-Myanmar visa exemption reinstated
  • Rain water entered in many roadside shops in the city. This photo was taken from a shop in Zafrabad, West Dhanmondi on Thursday (21 September). Photo: TBS
    Heavy rain causes severe waterlogging in Dhaka
  • Photo: TBS
    Chattogram Zoo acquires hippos, gives tigers to Rangpur Zoo
  • Areas around the Dhanmondi 8 bridge submerged in rainwater on Thursday (21 September). Photo: TBS
    4 die from electrocution as live wire falls in rainwater in Mirpur
  • An aerial view of the Matarbari coal-based power plant in Cox's Bazar's Maheshkhali upazila. Photo: TBS
    Matarbari deep sea port channel handed over to Ctg Port Authority

Related News

  • 4,725kg hilsa exported to India
  • Nothing to lose from visa restrictions: Shahriar Alam
  • US announcement on visa restriction will give momentum to democracy restoration movement: BNP
  • US begins steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshis involved in undermining democratic election process: State dept
  • PM for redouble global support to end Rohingya crisis

Features

This photo captured from in front of the Institute of Engineers around 11:30pm Thursday shows the severe waterlogging on Dhaka road. Photo: TBS

A swim through the city

2h | Features
Photo: Akif Hamid

Celebrating the Dhaka Elevated Expressway with Volkswagen Club Bangladesh

3h | Wheels
The Runner Skooty has become a popular choice for people looking to beat the scary city traffic, especially for its low maintenance and practical features. Photo: Akif Hamid

Runner Skooty 110: A versatile companion for urban mobility

3h | Wheels
X-Files: 30 years of the truth being out there

X-Files: 30 years of the truth being out there

7h | Features

More Videos from TBS

After almost two months, the Ukrainian grain ship left the Black Sea port

After almost two months, the Ukrainian grain ship left the Black Sea port

1d | TBS World
Revenue collection rises 15% in first two months of FY24

Revenue collection rises 15% in first two months of FY24

1d | TBS Economy
Fans call for Amir’s inclusion after Naseem Shah's injury

Fans call for Amir’s inclusion after Naseem Shah's injury

1d | TBS SPORTS
Chittagong University walls painted in graffiti

Chittagong University walls painted in graffiti

2h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]