Social awareness to prevent child marriage

Amit Banik

Child marriage is a serious social problem in Bangladesh. It has the highest rate of child marriage compared to other countries in the world. According to UNICEF, 59 percent of girls in Bangladesh are married before the age of 18, and 22 percent are married before the age of 15. 

Child marriage has various negative effects on girls, including health problems. Due to child marriage, their educational opportunities are limited, violence increases, and various risks increase. According to a recently released report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Bangladesh still has the highest rate of child marriage among South Asian countries. According to the report, 51 percent of girls in the country are married before the age of 18. Bangladesh has the highest number of child marriages in South Asia. In Bangladesh, mothers aged 15 to 19 give birth to 74 children per thousand. 

Child marriage increases the risk of maternal and newborn mortality. Child marriage in Bangladesh has several complex and interrelated factors, including poverty, gender inequality, lack of education, social and cultural norms, limited legal protection, conflict and displacement, etc. Girls get married early. Child marriage is often seen as a way to reduce financial burdens and improve economic stability. 

The prevailing patriarchal norms and gender discrimination in Bangladesh lead to the devaluation of girls and women. Child marriage is often seen as a way to protect girls' chastity and honor and restrict their freedom and movement. Lack of education and lack of awareness about the negative consequences of child marriage contribute to its prevalence. Many families in rural areas are unaware of the long-term impact of child marriage on their girls' health, education, and overall well-being. 

Social, religious, and cultural norms in Bangladesh promote the concept of child marriage, especially for girl children. These rules are often strongly supported by religious leaders, community elders, and family members. Although child marriage is illegal in Bangladesh, laws protecting girls from child marriage are often not enforced or poorly enforced. In times of conflict and displacement, child marriage may increase as families try to protect their daughters from insecurity and instability. 

Child marriage has several negative impacts on the lives of Bangladeshi girls and their families. Girls who marry young have a higher risk of infant mortality, as well as complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. They may suffer physical and sexual violence from their husbands. Girls who marry young often drop out of school, limiting their opportunities for education and personal development. This can contribute to perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. Child marriage can limit girls' access to economic opportunities and reduce their ability to achieve financial independence. This can perpetuate cycles of poverty and gender inequality. 

Girls who marry young often have limited social support and may be isolated from their families and communities. Child marriage can cause mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress, especially if the girl is forced into marriage. Child marriage limits girls' choices and opportunities to choose their life path. They may be forced to assume adult roles and responsibilities before they are physically and mentally ready, which can affect their physical and mental well-being. 

Overall, child marriage in Bangladesh has significant negative impacts on girls' health, education, economic opportunities, mental health, and overall well-being. It also perpetuates cycles of poverty and gender inequality, which have lasting effects on society as a whole. Preventing child marriage requires a comprehensive reform approach that addresses these underlying factors, helps girls and their families delay marriage, and improves their overall well-being. 

The Bangladesh government has taken several steps to prevent child marriage. The government has enacted several laws aimed at preventing child marriage, including the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, which prohibits the marriage of girls under the age of 18 and boys under the age of 21. However, some challenges remain in the implementation of these laws, especially in rural areas where child marriage is high. 

Government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have launched various awareness campaigns to make people aware of the negative effects of child marriage and alternatives such as delaying marriage and investing in girls' education. Practices continue to propagate. The government has implemented various economic incentives to discourage child marriage, such as providing stipends to families who send their daughters to school and training and financial support for girls to start small businesses. 

Combating child marriage in Bangladesh requires a multi-pronged approach that includes addressing the root causes of the problem and implementing various approaches to prevent child marriage, protect girls at risk, and support those who are already married. Public awareness campaigns to change attitudes and social norms about child marriage. Can help the campaign should include religious leaders, community elders, and other influential stakeholders who can play a role in promoting the value of girls' education and the harm caused by child marriage. 

One of the most effective ways to prevent child marriage is through education. Therefore, providing girls with educational opportunities, especially in rural areas, can help delay marriage and empower girls to make informed decisions about their lives. Economic distress is one of the main causes of child marriage in Bangladesh. Providing economic support to families, especially girls from poor and marginalized communities, can help reduce the economic pressure on their daughters to marry off at an early age.

Laws and policies that protect girls from child marriage must be strengthened and effectively enforced. These include enforcing the minimum age of marriage for girls (18 years) and punishing those who violate the law. Girls who are at risk of child marriage or who have already experienced child marriage need access to supportive services such as counseling, health care, and legal aid. These services should be tailored to meet the specific needs of girls and should be accessible and affordable to all. 

Men and boys can play an important role in preventing child marriage. By engaging them in child marriage education and awareness-raising campaigns, they can go a long way in changing attitudes and social norms related to child marriage and promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Overall, there is a need for a comprehensive and coordinated movement to prevent child marriage in Bangladesh that involves addressing the root causes of the problem and adopting and implementing a variety of programs to prevent, protect, and support girls at risk of or affected by child marriage. Make a decision. In all cases, poor parents willingly give their daughters an early marriage, but that is not the case. 

In most cases, families are forced to make their children to marry. Why our poor parents do this is very important. As long as these issues are not resolved, child marriage will continue. Policymakers need to seriously think about these issues. This requires extensive research. Strategic initiatives are required. Child marriage is happening in all the villages and towns. Almost everyone knows that child marriage is a crime. There is also a penalty for this. To truly end child marriage, we need to invest in girls. Important initiatives need to be taken in some areas, including their education and social security. Otherwise, it will be difficult to stop child marriage socially.

Writer: Amit Banik is a development activist and freelance journalist. Email: amitbanik70@gmail.com