Peer-reviewed article
Child Marriage in Bangladesh: Challenges and Prospects for Change
Ifrat Jahan ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Child marriage in Bangladesh affects millions of girls and is driven by poverty, cultural norms, and weak law enforcement. Despite laws like the Child Marriage Restraint Act (2017) and a national action plan, the practice persists and limits girls' access to education, economic opportunities, and health services. The paper reviews causes, consequences, and existing interventions, emphasizing the need for community engagement, stronger enforcement, and economic support for vulnerable families.
Key points
- Child marriage disproportionately impacts girls and limits their access to education, economic opportunities, and health services
- Key drivers include poverty, cultural norms, and inadequate enforcement of legal frameworks
- Bangladesh has enacted the Child Marriage Restraint Act (2017) and National Action Plan to End Child Marriage (2018–2030), but implementation faces challenges
- Interventions with potential include conditional cash transfers and community-led awareness programs
- Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for progress toward SDG 5.3
Limitations
The document does not provide quantitative prevalence data, specific outcome measurements from interventions, or details on the effectiveness of particular programs. It is a review of the issue and existing policy rather than an impact evaluation with rigorous methodology.
Abstract
Child marriage remains a significant social issue in Bangladesh, affecting millions of young girls and hindering their potential. Defined as a marriage where at least one party is below the age of 18, this practice disproportionately impacts girls, limiting their access to education, economic opportunities, and health services. Key drivers of child marriage include poverty, cultural norms, and inadequate enforcement of legal frameworks. Despite legislative measures like the Child Marriage Restraint Act (2017) and government initiatives such as the National Action Plan to End Child Marriage (2018–2030), challenges persist due to societal resistance, economic barriers, and gaps in implementation. This article explores the causes and consequences of child marriage, emphasizing its health, educational, and economic impacts on individuals and society. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of existing interventions and highlights the need for community engagement, improved law enforcement, and economic support for vulnerable families. By addressing these issues, Bangladesh can progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which aims to eliminate harmful practices, including child marriage. The findings underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovative solutions, such as conditional cash transfers and community-led awareness programs, in combating this deep-rooted practice.