Child Marriage

What is child marriage?

A marriage or partnership where refers to any formal marriage or informal union, governed by civil law, common law or religious law, or simply be a customary practice.one or both partners are under the age of 18.

Even though this concept seems simple, child marriage might have a difficult reality. The terms "child" and "marriage" can occasionally have conflicting meanings. The right to "free and full" consent to marriage is recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, although it is acknowledged that such consent cannot be "free and full" if one of the parties is too mature to choose a life partner. Nevertheless, girls are frequently forced into arranged marriages without their knowledge or permission in many low- and middle-income nations, particularly in rural regions with higher levels of poverty. Even as early as infancy, such a situation may arise. 

What is the difference between Child Marriage, Early Marriage and forced marriage?

Sometimes people use the phrase "child, early, and forced marriage." It appears that these words are distinct because of this. In actuality, they overlap.

Both the terms' child marriage and early marriage broadly apply to unions involving one or both partners who are under the age of 18. However, the term "early marriage" is also often used to refer to unions in which one or both partners are over the age of 18 but whose capacity to provide consent has been weakened. An early marriage, for instance, would be one between a 19-year-old who is not mentally or physically mature or who does not have enough knowledge to make an informed decision.

No matter the age of the parties involved, a forced marriage occurs when one or both partners do not offer their complete and free permission. A relationship in which one or both parties are unable to separate or quit the marriage is often referred to as a forced marriage.

All child marriages are often viewed as forced marriages since, in the majority of nations, children are not thought to be able to offer their permission in a legal sense. However, there are several examples of two teenagers under the age of 18 being married willingly; in certain settings, these unions are referred to as "love marriages."

Child Marriage: The Curse for Bangladeshi Girls:

Marriage is frequently viewed as a holy relationship of two people, one based on respect, love, and understanding. Child marriage still casts a dark shadow  on young girls' lives in many parts of the world, including Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh is only one of the many civilizations in the globe where early marriage is still a problem. This practice, which is motivated by sociocultural considerations, has detrimental effects on girls' physical, emotional, and socioeconomic well being. It perpetuates a cycle of inequality, restricts educational opportunities, jeopardizes health, domestic violence, and undermines their overall development. 

Parents view marriage as a cultural institution that affords their daughter the protection of a male guardian and safeguards her from sexual abuse.Marriage is viewed by parents as a cultural process that shields their daughter from sexual abuse and provides her with the care of a male guardian. Parents frequently believe that a young girl is a financial burden, and hence seek to marry off their young daughters before they become a financial responsibility.

Early marriage is a major problem in Bangladesh, and one that needs to be addressed urgently. While there has been some progress made in recent years, much more needs to be done to protect the rights of Bangladeshi girls and ensure that they can lead safe, healthy and prosperous lives.

This article delves into the multifaceted issues surrounding early marriage in Bangladesh, highlighting the detrimental effects it has on the lives of young girls.

Data Analysis:

According to UNICEF, 51% of girls in Bangladesh are married before the age of 18, and 18% are married before the age of 15. This is the highest rate of child marriage in South Asia and the eighth highest in the world. 

Moreover, 65% of girls who are married before 18 have no education at all. This means they miss out on vital years of education that could help them get ahead later in life.

 

Child marriage is almost universally banned. Even in places where child marriage is clearly legally prohibited, enforcement can be complicated by the fact that many child marriages – and many marriages in general – are not legally registered.

Reasons behind Child Marriage in Bangladesh:

Child marriage is profoundly ingrained in Bangladeshi culture, gender roles, and economics.Traditional beliefs regarding a girl's role as a homemaker and bearer of family honor often pressure families to marry their daughters off at a young age. Poverty is one of the main drivers including poverty, lack of education, and cultural traditions. Additionally, parents who believe that it is their duty to marry off their daughters as soon as possible as a kind of financial relief, shifts the financial responsibility to the husband's family. This is often done to protect their honor and reputation, as premarital sex is considered taboo in Bangladeshi society. 

In many cases, girls are married off to older men who can provide financial support to their families. This is especially true in rural areas, where girls have limited opportunities for education and employment. Such customs are the result of a patriarchal mentality that views women primarily as housewives and mothers.

Health Implications:

Another disadvantage of child marriage is the negative impact on physical and mental health. Youngly married women are more likely to have early pregnancies, which can be harmful to both the mother and the unborn child's health. Their bodies are frequently unprepared for labour, which increases the risk of complications during childbirth as well as maternal and infant mortality rates. Furthermore, because they lack the emotional and social maturity to deal with the problems of marriage, females who marry young are more likely to experience domestic abuse.

Educational Constraints:

For girls, the disruption of their education is one of the most serious effects of early marriage. Marriage frequently signals the conclusion of a girl's scholastic career, cutting short her opportunities for personal development and economic advancement. Their inability to find meaningful work as a result of a lack of education feeds a vicious cycle of poverty. In addition, educated females are more likely to make thoughtful decisions about their lives, such as those concerning their health and family planning. Girls lose the essential information they need to lead healthier and more fruitful lives when they are denied.

Psychological Toll:

The emotional and psychological toll of child marriage on Bangladeshi girls cannot be overstated. Forced into adulthood before they are emotionally prepared, these girls often grapple with feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety. The abrupt transition from childhood to married life robs them of the chance to explore their own aspirations and build their own identities. The lack of agency in making important life decisions can lead to a sense of powerlessness and contribute to mental health struggles.

Gender inequality:

Women and girls are denied their human rights, regarded as second-class citizens, and given less value due to their sex due to gender inequality.

One manifestation of this gender imbalance is child marriage.

Limitations on female sexuality and reproductive options result from patriarchal institutions, or systems run by males, that place importance on girls' virginity. This may entail directing a girl's behavior and attire, where she goes, who she sees, and if, when, and with whom she marries.

Furthermore, it may criminalize her sexuality and limit her access to assistance and knowledge.

Females who date or get pregnant outside of marriage are stigmatized in many cultures for bringing shame to their families, and in some cases, they are even barred from attending school. In these cases, parents may see early marriage as a way to protect their daughters and their family. Girls may agree and aspire to be wives and mothers.

Is interfering with the cultural or religious practises around child marriage in other nations insensitive?

No significant religious tradition mandates child marriage. However, child marriage still occurs in many different cultures and religions. As a cultural or religious custom, child marriage is not one that should be protected because governments all over the globe have unanimously and independently declared that it constitutes a serious violation of human rights.

Information about child marriage's negative effects is frequently persuasive to parents, lawmakers, community leaders, religious leaders, and others in areas where it is still practised. In truth, there are several instances of cultural and religious authorities strongly opposing child marriage. However, restrictions alone are not always enough since child marriage frequently occurs as a result of restricted choices and because it is accepted as the norm. Options for child marriage are necessary for families, girls, and communities. These options should include possibilities for education and work, social security protection against job loss and catastrophic expenses, and safer, more stable living conditions.

Breaking the Chains:

Child marriage is a human rights violation. The cycle of early marriage must be broken, and this calls for a multifaceted strategy. It is a hardship, but one that can be surmounted.

As a start, gender equality must be promoted via education and awareness initiatives in order to address the underlying reasons for child marriage. Society may change its attitude and place more value on girls' rights than on long-standing traditions by demonstrating the advantages of educating and empowering females.

Second, females need to have access to high-quality education. In order to encourage females to pursue their education and to develop a sense of independence and self-worth, schools should offer a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Scholarships and other financial aid can help families that are struggling financially and make college a realistic choice for everyone.

Third, it's crucial to engage the community. To change attitudes and promote anti-early marriage, religious and community leaders might be crucial. They can affect attitudes about females' social roles and the acceptability of postponed weddings, among other things.

Fourthly, a Bangladesh where all girls have the chance to realize their full potential is attainable with the proper mix of government action, NGO assistance, and community involvement.

Gender equality must be promoted on a fundamental level. There is less incentive to participate in child marriage when educating daughters is valued equally to educating sons and when societies—both men and women—place equal value on the future potential of girls and boys.

In order to safeguard girls from being pressured into early relationships and set a minimum age for marriage, legislative structures also need to be strengthened. Young girls' rights can be protected through strict enforcement of these rules and harsh consequences for infractions.This involves offering counseling and education programmes to females who are in danger of getting married young.

Give girls the voice and confidence to protest child marriage and demand their rights.

Encourage families to find alternate means of supporting their daughters, such as through job training or microcredit programmes. Change the societal norms that encourage young marriage, such as the idea that females are a financial burden to their families, by working to eliminate them.

Girls may contribute significantly to the elimination of child marriage if they are aware of their rights and have access to the necessary resources and opportunities. Social volunteers are able to convince families to postpone or cancel engagements when girls are given the confidence to assert their rights. Instead, they may continue their education, develop their talents, and provide for their families. A lot of people have been motivated to become leaders and champions in their communities.

Key Areas for Policy Action:

Although there are laws against child marriage in many nations, these laws are frequently poorly implemented and enforced. In order to successfully implement, review, and update laws and policies meant to prevent child marriage, there is a need for technical support to enhance the number of local specialists who can appropriately monitor and assess programmes. Early marriage and pregnancy can be decreased with the assistance of a dedicated multi sectoral strategy that incorporates action plans from the health, education, legal, economic, and labor sectors.

Make sure there are areas where girls feel comfortable.

In order to create long-lasting safe spaces for females to gather, share information and ideas, and get support and direction, social networks and civil society organizations are essential. Offering catch-up education, financial literacy teaching, savings clubs, and health services either directly or on referral can be done by using public facilities like schools after hours or houses of worship during non-worship hours.

Encourage education beyond the primary level.

The education of females must be supported via investments. There is evidence that educated women are less likely to consent to an early marriage. In order to help a girl through the crucial drop-out era and provide secondary and vocational possibilities that are acceptable to the girls' families, development programmes need to be innovative.

Offer a secure and ethical form of support outside the home.

Girls and young women who have the kind of education and professional training that increases their ability to earn money may be able to put off getting married. When schooling is not an option, income-generation programmes can provide women and girls with the tools and skills they need to become less dependent on their families and attain some independence.

Additionally, it is producing data on what works to address child marriage and related problems, including teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and HIV, while guaranteeing a more girl-friendly legal and legislative climate.

It is necessary to pass, bolster, and uphold laws that forbid child marriage. Additionally, legislation relating to bride prices, dowries, marital rape, birth and marriage registration, and compulsory education needs more attention.

But laws by themselves won't stop child marriage.

Role of Local Government:

The Bangladeshi government has demonstrated some dedication to addressing the issue of underage marriage. It started a National Plan of Action in 2017 with the goal of ending child marriage by 2041. To guarantee that this strategy is completely executed and that girls are safeguarded from this dangerous practice, further work must be done.

To put a stop to the practice of early marriage and make sure that girls have the chance to realize their full potential, the government, civil society, and the international community must collaborate.

Conclusion:

For Bangladeshi girls, early marriage continues to be a serious problem since it feeds the cycles of inequality, poverty, and limited opportunity. All facets of society must work together to end this plague, from families and communities to legislators and international organizations. Girls in Bangladesh may have a better, fairer future by being educated, having gender prejudices eliminated, and being in an atmosphere where their rights are maintained. Only then will they be able to escape the bonds of early marriage and become independent individuals equipped to advance their country?