Child marriage in Bangladesh: A crisis driven by poverty and social norms

Despite significant progress in various socio-economic indicators, Bangladesh continues to grapple with the deeply entrenched issue of child marriage. While the country has made strides in reducing the prevalence of this harmful practice, the numbers remain alarmingly high.

As of 2025, data from a global report by UNICEF, UN Women and Plan International published on 8 March this year indicates that 51.4% of girls in Bangladesh — accounting for 1 in 2 women — are married before their 18th birthday, marking it the highest child marriage rate in Asia. 

The persistence of child marriage is driven by a confluence of factors: gender inequality, poverty, entrenched social norms, climate-induced insecurity, and loopholes in legal frameworks. 

Child marriage exacts a heavy toll on girls and society. It disrupts education, with married girls far less likely to complete schooling, perpetuating poverty and inequality. Health risks are profound, including higher rates of maternal mortality and obstetric complications from early pregnancies. Socially, it entrenches gender disparities, limiting girls' contributions to Bangladesh's development. 

So, why is this social ill so rampant here?

Poverty

A 2023 World Bank study found that families in the poorest quintile are 3.2 times more likely to marry off girls before age 18 than wealthier households. Families view child marriage as a pragmatic response to economic insecurity, despite its long-term detrimental effects.

"If we examine the socio-economic status of the families marrying off their underage daughters and the geographical locations where child marriage is prevalent, a clear connection with poverty is observed. In most child marriage cases, the families and neighbourhoods are indeed poor," said Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank's Dhaka office.

In his opinion, since many families cannot provide their daughters with education and do not see a path out of poverty, they view marrying off their underage daughters as the only viable way to secure their future.

It is no surprise that in a country where dowry practices and economic transactions related to marriage still influence social status, parents feel compelled to marry off their daughters at a younger age to secure a better future for them.

Dowry, the practice of transferring money, goods, or property from the bride's family to the groom or his family during a marriage, is also a big driver of child marriage. As the older a girl gets the higher the amount of dowry that needs to be paid. In some areas, the dowry is raised if the girl is educated, as they are considered less 'desirable'.

"Dowry is an ancient practice in the Indian subcontinent, the impacts of which are still felt today. When it comes to marriage, dowry remains a significant factor. The younger you marry off your daughter, the less dowry you have to pay," said Dr Soma Dey, Associate Professor, Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka.

Experts argue this is fuelled by the notion that as girls get older, they become less attractive, and hence the dowry rate increases.

Law, order and political instability

An often-overlooked factor influencing the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh is the broader law and order situation and political instability.

"As a state, we have never been able to provide women with security. These days, women are living with a lot of anxiety, as cases of harassment in public spaces and rape are on the rise. This, in turn, is causing headaches for their families," said Dr Soma Dey.

Recent months have witnessed episodes of political unrest and sporadic violence, which have further eroded public confidence in the state's ability to provide security. In such environments, parents increasingly feel that marrying their daughters early is a protective measure to secure their daughters' future in uncertain times.

"In periods of political instability, gender-based violence, especially rape, spikes. Many families believe that early marriage can shield girls from the threats of lawlessness and chaos," explained Professor Zobaida Nasreen, Department of Anthropology, University of Dhaka.

The rationale is that a structured marital arrangement, often seen as a form of social security, may offer a safer alternative than leaving a young girl exposed to the vulnerabilities of an unstable society.

External shocks

Catastrophic events, such as natural disasters or the Covid-19 pandemic, have been observed to exacerbate the problem. Economic hardship and increased vulnerability during such crises can force families to resort to child marriage as a coping mechanism.

"The closure of schools during the pandemic increased the number of child marriages, as girls' futures became uncertain. They were deprived of the protective environment and education opportunities that schools provide," said Nasreen. 

"Many parents saw this as an opportunity to marry off their daughters cheaply, as arranging the marriage was less expensive," she added.

Legal loopholes and weak law enforcement

"In most cases, if the bride calls the child marriage prevention hotline and states that they oppose the marriage, only then is the marriage stopped," said Nasreen.

The legal framework in Bangladesh fails to adequately deter child marriage. While the minimum marriage age is 18 for females, the 2017 Child Marriage Restraint Act permits exceptions under "special circumstances," a loophole widely exploited.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan critiqued this policy, stating, "Lowering the marriage age in Bangladesh is a step in the wrong direction." Weak enforcement further undermines legal protections, allowing the practice to persist.

Shifting social norms

Addressing the pervasive issue of child marriage in Bangladesh requires a multi-pronged approach that tackles the root causes and empowers girls and communities.

"We need to work on the patriarchal culture. If we do not work to change the mental makeup of our society, simply offering incentives and strict laws will not take us far. We need to rethink our norms, values, and practices. Otherwise, this will never end," explained Dr Dey.

Experts believe changing cultural attitudes demands community-level action. Media campaigns, partnerships with religious leaders, and youth-led initiatives can challenge norms. 

Experts emphasise that society as a whole needs to realise there is more to a girl's life than marriage. If community leaders, lawyers, and other important stakeholders do not learn to be more gender-sensitive and understand the true potential of women as human beings, we will not be able to end this social ill.

"Even family members discriminate between girl children and boy children. They need to move away from the mentality of considering women a burden. This applies to both families and communities as a whole," said Dr Soma Dey.

"At the state level, it is claimed that both men and women have equal rights. Yet, women do not receive the same opportunities as men," she added.

The social fabric in many rural communities in Bangladesh is interwoven with customs that value early marriage as a means of ensuring social control and familial honour. According to Professor Nasreen, most families consider it a matter of great shame if a girl runs away to get married to someone of their own liking. 

Strengthening legal frameworks

The Child Marriage Restraint Act (2017) permits underage marriage in "special cases," a loophole often exploited. Government data (2023) shows that 32% of child marriages cited "special cases," though activists argue these are rarely justified.

"The legal framework needs to be updated. Most child marriages are only stopped when the local UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer) arrives with force. More often than not, media members accompany them. Such practices promote hero worship rather than bringing about cultural change," said Professor Nasreen.

She opined that local Kazis, who conduct Muslim marriages, also aid in hiding the age of the bride. They conduct the marriage despite knowing the bride is underage. Many members of local government are also complicit in such practices.

Enhancing girls' education

Investing in girls' education is arguably one of the most effective strategies to prevent child marriage. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have fewer children, and achieve better health outcomes.

According to the World Bank, the Bangladesh government's Female Secondary School Assistance Program, which provides stipends to girls, reduced child marriage rates by 11% in pilot districts. Scaling such initiatives, alongside vocational training for women, can shift the economic perceptions of girls.

"Education is a powerful tool for empowerment. When girls are educated, they have more choices and are less likely to be forced into early marriage," said Dr Soma Dey.

But that is only half the battle, in her opinion. "Let's say we help a girl complete primary and secondary education. Then, she will need work, earn a living, and become independent, just as a man would. For that, we need support from the family, the community, and the state. So far, we have not been able to achieve this," added Dr Dey.

Experts agree that only a holistic approach that tackles discrimination in all its forms is the real path towards ending child marriage.

Engaging men

Transforming gender norms requires engaging boys and men as allies. Most anti-child marriage campaigns in Bangladesh target only women. The onus of preventing marriage is placed on women, yet more often than not, these decisions are made by men.

"We have very few campaigns that target men, who, in most cases, arrange the marriage. We need to convince the father of the bride to stop the marriage. So, we need to make them more aware of the downsides of child marriage," said Professor Nasreen.

Engaging religious leaders can also be a game-changer. For instance, in Rangpur, a UNFPA-led campaign involving 500 imams reduced child marriages by 18% in 2022–2023.