UNICEF Report: Bangladesh Leads Asia in Child Marriage Rates
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Synopsis
A recent UNICEF report reveals alarming statistics on child marriage in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for urgent change. With over 50% of girls married before the age of 18, the report calls for significant investments in adolescent girls' empowerment and education to combat gender inequality and improve their future prospects.
Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in Asia.
- Over 50% of girls marry before 18.
- Investment in girls' education and health is critical.
- Many adolescent girls face violence and limited opportunities.
- Progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration is slow and uneven.
Dhaka, March 9 (NationPress) Bangladesh is still facing serious issues with high rates of child marriage, persistent gender inequality, violence, and limited opportunities for girls, according to a recent global report.
The document, named 'Girl Goals: What has changed for girls? Adolescent girls' rights over 30 years', was published by UNICEF, UN Women, and Plan International to coincide with International Women's Day.
This report reveals that Bangladesh holds the dubious title of having the highest rate of child marriage in Asia, with over 50% of girls being married before they reach 18 years old. This troubling figure positions Bangladesh among the leading nations globally in combating this detrimental practice.
Highlighting the significance of investing in adolescent girls, the report asserts that such investments not only empower individuals but also play a crucial role in the economic progress and stability of communities and nations.
The report evaluates the advancements made by countries since the 1995 Beijing Declaration, recognizing improvements in various sectors, including education and healthcare access.
Nevertheless, it raises alarms regarding ongoing challenges faced by adolescent girls in Bangladesh, particularly concerning inequality, violence, and limited educational and economic prospects.
Rana Flowers, UNICEF's representative in Bangladesh, emphasized the pressing need for transformation. "Adolescent girls in Bangladesh aspire to contribute to a prosperous Bangladesh where they can seize opportunities and help their nation thrive. However, obstacles and discrimination continue to hinder them and their country," he stated.
Flowers underscored that access to life skills and digital literacy is vital, but addressing the alarming rates of child marriage and violence against girls is a top priority. He cautioned that these issues often result in early and hazardous childbearing, jeopardizing the lives of both mother and child.
"On this International Women's Day, let us dismantle barriers and foster equal opportunities, inspiring hope for all. We must amplify girls' voices and ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes," Flowers added.
He urged the Bangladesh government to increase investments in adolescent health services, bolster the social work sector, and enhance education, nutrition, life skills, and digital literacy for girls to realize their full potential.
The report indicates that Bangladesh ranks eighth in the world regarding child marriage rates and leads in Asia. It highlights that 51.4% of Bangladeshi women aged 20-24 were married before their 18th birthday. This practice continues to exacerbate poverty, threaten girls' health, and obstruct their potential, ultimately hindering Bangladesh's economic advancement.
The study also reveals that 24% of Bangladeshi women aged 20-24 had given birth before they turned 18. Alarmingly, 28% of girls aged 15-19 have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in the past year, and only 47% of married adolescent girls in this age range have the autonomy to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Gitanjali Singh, UN Women's representative in Bangladesh, reflected on the slow and uneven progress made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration.
"As we celebrate 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, we acknowledge progress on the rights of women and girls, while recognizing that achievements have been slow, fragile, and inconsistent. In Bangladesh, many young girls remain out of school, exposed to harmful practices and violence," she remarked.
Singh emphasized the necessity for collective efforts to unlock adolescent girls' potential. "A collaborative approach is essential to realize their potential. Investing in their empowerment and leadership is not only the right choice but also the prudent one," she added.
According to the report, Bangladesh's secondary school completion rate for adolescent girls is 59.22%. The findings call for substantial governmental action and support from stakeholders to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for girls' education.
The study also points out that Bangladesh is one of only seven countries where the percentage of adolescent girls and young women with digital skills is 2% or lower, further limiting their opportunities.
Kabita Bose, country director at Plan International Bangladesh, acknowledged the progress made in decreasing adolescent birth rates, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and enhancing the economic participation of girls and young women.
"I am delighted to see that Bangladesh has made substantial strides in reducing adolescent birth rates, increasing skilled birth attendant services, and boosting the economic participation of girls and young women," Bose stated.
She also noted improvements in girls' enrollment and completion rates across primary, secondary, and higher secondary education levels. However, she emphasized that quality education remains a significant hurdle.
"Girls and young women are alarmingly falling behind in digital skills. Much work remains to be done to eradicate child, early, and forced marriages, improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, and ensure safe mobility for girls in public spaces," she added.
Bose highlighted Plan International's ongoing initiatives to empower girls and youth through their program, 'All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change', aimed at achieving gender equality.
Despite ongoing challenges, the report offers some encouraging insights, noting that the global life expectancy for 15-year-old adolescent girls has increased to 79.1 years, indicating a 4.5-year improvement.
Initiatives like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign have been instrumental in safeguarding millions of Bangladeshi girls from cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women in the country.
As Bangladesh continues its journey to empower adolescent girls, experts emphasize that sustained investments in education, healthcare, and social protection are crucial for ensuring a brighter and safer future for the nation's young women.
