Child marriage increases amid pandemic

Highlights

• 97 child marriages were reported in January to September last year, while 146 incidents were reported during the same period this year
• 76 child marriages were prevented from January to March this year, 75 were prevented from April to June
• From July to September last year 166 child marriages were prevented, while during the same period this year 492 child marriages were stopped
• 25,607 complaints regarding violence against woman were filed from January to October 2020
• from January to October this year, violence against woman has increased by 24% compared to that in the same period last year

Incidents of child marriages and violence against women have increased in the country this year compared to last year, according to a survey conducted by nongovernment organisation Brac.

The Brac report said, 97 incidents of child marriage were reported from January to September last year by community members in 54 districts, while 146 incidents of child marriages were reported during the same period this year.

Brac conducted the survey as a part of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The Brac report said, 96 child marriages were prevented from January to March in 2019, while 76 were prevented during that period this year. From April to June last year 109 child marriages were prevented, while 75 child marriages were prevented in that period this year.

From July to September last year 166 child marriages were prevented, while during the same period this year 492 child marriages were stopped.

The survey expressed concerns that the girl child married off at young age may become victims of violence in the future.

According to the report, girl children married before 15 fall victims to physical and sexual violence 50% more than the women who are married after 18.

The Brac survey found out that most of the married girl children believe that their husbands can torture them whenever they want to.

Meanwhile, violence against women has also increased amid the novel coronavirus crisis in the country. 

According to the Brac survey, 25,607 complaints regarding violence against woman were filed in Brac's 410 Human Rights and Legal Aid Clinics in the first 10 months of 2020.

Of these complaints, 15,047 were resolved through alternative dispute settlements, while Brac provided legal consultancy to 3,239 victims, and assisted 1,724 critical victims to file lawsuits.

According to BRAC's community empowerment programme, from January to October this year, violence against woman has increased by 24% compared to that in last year.

Executive Director of Brac Asif Saleh said, "Brac gives highest priority to the fight against gender-based violence and ensuring gender equality. The novel coronavirus pandemic has made the fight more difficult."

He opined that this challenge can be successfully overcome through a conscious and organised effort of the local people.

 "Strong commitment and combined efforts at all levels of government and society are even more important now to prevent gender-based violence and ensure women's rights amid the novel coronavirus crisis," he added.