Bangladesh
Gender-based violence
Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, despite the practice being banned in 2016. Bangladesh has one of the lowest birth registration rates, making the enforcement of the ban difficult. Birth certificates are required by law as proof that one is of age for marriage. However, this has led some to falsify birth certificates to make girls appear of age. Some rural parents marry off their girls early in an attempt to protect them from rape. Bangladesh has seen a rise in child marriage, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. As of 2024, 51.4% of girls are married off before 18.
Promising Practices and Updates
Bangladesh has launched an IT system to prevent child marriages by checking the ages of brides and grooms using either a birth certificate, government ID, or school records. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has also taken actions to encourage families not to marry off their children.
Additional Documentation
Bordering Practice
Corporeal
Region
Asia and the Pacific