Child marriages rate is globally declining, with the largest drop in South Asia. However, it is still remain high in Bangladesh, according to the UNICEF.
Bangladesh is the fourth highest in the world with the rate of 59 percent child marriage by 18 years of age. The rate of child marriage by 15 years in Bangladesh is 22 percent. Niger has the highest child marriage rate (76 percent), followed by Central African Republic (68 percent) and Chad (67 percent).
In 2011, Bangladesh had a child marriage rate of 52 percent, Bangla daily Prothom Alo reported citing government statistics.
The proportion of child marriage decreased by 15 per cent in the last decade, from 1 in 4 to approximately 1 in 5.
In the last 10 years South Asia has witnessed the largest decline in child marriage worldwide. A south Asian girl’s risk of marrying before 18 years of age has dropped by more than a third, from nearly 50 percent to 30 percent, the UNICEF said in a press release on Tuesday.
Child marriage is defined as a formal marriage or informal union before age of 18 years. It happens to both boys and girls. However, girls are disproportionately the most affected. According to the UNICEF, child marriage is widespread and can lead to a lifetime of disadvantage and deprivation.
Marriage before the age of 18 is a fundamental violation of human rights. Child marriage often compromises a girl’s development by resulting in early pregnancy and social isolation, interrupting her schooling, limiting her opportunities for career and vocational advancement and placing her at increased risk of domestic violence. Child marriage also affects boys, but to a lesser degree than girls.
UNICEF’s Principal Gender Advisor Anju Malhotra said:
“When a girl is forced to marry as a child, she faces immediate and lifelong consequences. Her odds of finishing school decrease while her odds of being abused by her husband and suffering complications during pregnancy increase. There are also huge societal consequences, and higher risk of intergenerational cycles of poverty.”
“Given the life-altering impact child marriage has on a young girl’s life, any reduction is welcome news, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
It is estimated that around 12 million girls married in childhood every year, according to new data from UNICEF. It shows an accumulated global reduction of 25 million fewer marriages than would have been anticipated ten years ago.
Worldwide, more than 650 million women alive today were married as children. To end this practice by 2030, the progress must be significantly accelerated. Otherwise, more than 150 million additional girls will marry before their 18th birthday by 2030, the press release says.
“Each and every child marriage prevented gives another girl the chance to fulfil her potential,” said Malhotra.
“But given the world has pledged to end child marriage by 2030, we’re going to have to collectively redouble efforts to prevent millions of girls from having their childhoods stolen through this devastating practice.”
Share
