UNICEF Report: Bangladesh Leads Asia in Child Marriage Rates
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Synopsis
A recent UNICEF report reveals that Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in Asia, with over 50% of girls married before 18, emphasizing the urgent need for changes to empower adolescent girls and improve their opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in Asia.
- Over 50% of girls are married before the age of 18.
- Investment in adolescent girls is crucial for economic development.
- Only 47% of married adolescent girls can make reproductive health decisions.
- Collective efforts are needed to unlock the potential of young girls.
Dhaka, March 9 (NationPress) Bangladesh is still facing significant challenges with elevated rates of child marriage, gender inequality, violence, and restricted 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 commemorate International Women's Day.
The findings indicate that Bangladesh holds the highest rate of child marriage in Asia, with more than 50 percent of girls being wed before reaching the age of 18. This concerning figure positions Bangladesh among the nations globally that are struggling with this detrimental practice.
Highlighting the necessity of investing in adolescent girls, the report asserts that such investments not only empower individuals but also play a vital role in the economic development and stability of communities and nations.
The evaluation measures the progress made by countries since the 1995 Beijing Declaration, recognizing improvements in various fields, including education and healthcare access.
However, it raises alarms regarding ongoing challenges faced by adolescent girls in Bangladesh, especially concerning inequalities, violence, and limited educational and economic opportunities.
Rana Flowers, UNICEF's representative in Bangladesh, highlighted the pressing need for transformation. "Adolescent girls in Bangladesh aspire to contribute to a thriving Bangladesh where they can seize opportunities and support their country in flourishing. Yet, obstacles and discrimination persist, hindering both them and their nation," he remarked.
Flowers emphasized that access to life skills and digital literacy is crucial, but dealing with the alarming rates of child marriage and violence against girls remains a top priority. He cautioned that these issues frequently lead to early and perilous childbirth, which can jeopardize the lives of both the mother and child.
"This International Women's Day, let's dismantle barriers and foster equal opportunities, igniting hope for all. We must amplify girls' voices and guarantee their involvement in decision-making," Flowers urged.
He called on the Bangladesh government to invest significantly in adolescent health services, bolster the social work sector, and enhance education, nutrition, life skills, and digital literacy for girls to unleash their potential.
The report indicates that Bangladesh ranks eighth globally in terms of child marriage rates and is at the top in Asia. It reveals that 51.4 percent of Bangladeshi women aged 20-24 were married before turning 18. This practice perpetuates poverty, jeopardizes girls' health, and stifles their potential, ultimately affecting Bangladesh's economic progress.
Furthermore, the study shows that 24 percent of Bangladeshi women aged 20-24 had given birth before the age of 18. Alarmingly, 28 percent of girls aged 15-19 have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in the past year, and merely 47 percent of married adolescent girls in this age bracket have the autonomy to make informed reproductive health choices.
Gitanjali Singh, UN Women's representative in Bangladesh, reflected on the slow and uneven advancements made since the 1995 Beijing Declaration.
"As we commemorate 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, we celebrate progress on the rights of women and girls, while recognizing that gains have been slow, fragile, and uneven. In Bangladesh, many young girls remain out of school, at risk of harmful practices and violence," she stated.
Singh emphasized the necessity for collective efforts to unlock the potential of adolescent girls. "An all-hands-on-deck approach is essential to unlock their potential. Investing in their empowerment and leadership is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do," she added.
The report reveals that Bangladesh's secondary school completion rate for adolescent girls stands at 59.22 percent. The findings call for substantial government action and support from stakeholders to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for girls' education.
The study also highlights that Bangladesh is one of only seven countries where the proportion of adolescent girls and young women with digital skills is 2 percent or lower, further limiting their opportunities.
Kabita Bose, country director at Plan International Bangladesh, acknowledged the progress made in reducing adolescent birth rates, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and increasing economic participation among girls and young women.
"I am happy to see that Bangladesh has made significant strides in decreasing adolescent birth rates, enhancing services for skilled birth attendants, and boosting the economic engagement of girls and young women," Bose expressed.
She also pointed out improvements in girls' enrollment and completion rates at primary, secondary, and higher secondary education levels. However, she stressed that quality education remains a considerable challenge.
"Girls and young women are alarmingly lagging behind in digital skills. Much remains to be accomplished to eliminate 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 the ongoing challenges, the report presents some encouraging insights, noting that the global life expectancy for 15-year-old adolescent girls has risen to 79.1 years, reflecting a 4.5-year improvement.
Initiatives like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign have played a crucial role in safeguarding millions of Bangladeshi girls from cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women in the country.
As Bangladesh continues its efforts to empower adolescent girls, experts emphasize that sustained investments in education, healthcare, and social protection are essential for ensuring a brighter, safer future for the nation's young women.
