UNICEF’s report reveals Bangladesh has the highest child marriage rate in Asia, with over 50% of girls married before age 18. The report emphasizes the need for investment in girls’ education and health, while highlighting ongoing challenges related to gender inequality and violence. Government and collective efforts are crucial to enable the empowerment and development of adolescent girls in the country.

Bangladesh is confronting alarming rates of child marriage, gender inequality, violence, and limited opportunities for adolescent girls, according to a recent report by UNICEF, UN Women, and Plan International. The report, released in conjunction with International Women’s Day, indicates that over 50 percent of Bangladeshi girls are married before the age of 18, positioning the nation as the highest in Asia for this detrimental issue.

The findings emphasize the necessity of investing in adolescent girls, asserting that such efforts empower individuals and bolster economic stability within communities and nations. While some progress has been made in education and healthcare since the 1995 Beijing Declaration, significant challenges, including inequalities and harmful practices, persist in Bangladesh.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF’s representative in Bangladesh, highlighted the urgent need for transformative changes, stating, “Adolescent girls in Bangladesh want to contribute to a flourishing Bangladesh where they can embrace opportunities and support their country to thrive. Yet, barriers and discrimination continue to hold them, and their country back.” Access to life skills and digital literacy was identified as critical, but addressing the issues of child marriage and violence against girls remains a top priority.

The report points out that Bangladesh ranks eighth globally in child marriage rates, with 51.4 percent of women aged 20-24 having married before 18. Additionally, 24 percent of this demographic had given birth before reaching the legal age of maturity. Further concerning statistics reveal that 28 percent of girls aged 15-19 experienced physical or sexual violence in the past year, and only 47 percent of married adolescent girls can independently make reproductive health decisions.

Gitanjali Singh from UN Women reflected on the slow progress since the Beijing Declaration, saying, “As we commemorate 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, we celebrate progress on the rights of women and girls, while acknowledging that gains have been slow, fragile, and uneven.” She emphasized the significance of unified efforts to unlock the potential of adolescent girls, indicating that investing in their empowerment is both a just and prudent approach.

The report mentions that the secondary school completion rate for girls in Bangladesh is 59.22 percent, urging governmental action and stakeholder support to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for girls’ education. Moreover, only 2 percent of adolescent girls and women possess digital skills, further restricting their opportunities.

Kabita Bose, country director at Plan International Bangladesh, recognized improvements such as reduced adolescent birth rates and enhanced access to skilled birth attendants. However, she underscored that significant challenges remain in delivering quality education and providing access to health services for adolescents. Bose declared ongoing efforts through the ‘All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change’ initiative to attain gender equality.

Amid these challenges, the report presents positive trends, such as the rising global life expectancy for 15-year-old girls, now at 79.1 years. Initiatives like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign have played a pivotal role in preventing cervical cancer among Bangladeshi girls. Experts emphasize that ongoing investments in education, healthcare, and social protection are vital for securing a better and safer future for young women in Bangladesh.

In conclusion, the report from UNICEF, UN Women, and Plan International underscores the critical issues of child marriage, gender inequality, and violence facing adolescent girls in Bangladesh. While progress has been observed in certain sectors, urgent reforms and investments in education, health services, and social equity are essential to empower young women. Collective action is paramount to overcome persistent barriers and ensure a brighter future for the next generation.

Original Source: www.siasat.com

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