Child marriage, big threat to Bangladesh’s development

Dhaka, 24 February, 2014: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Plan International Bangladesh are jointly organising a 2-day workshop starting on 24 February 2014 in Dhaka to work out effective means of fighting child marriage in Bangladesh.

The workshop titled “Ending Child Marriage: Developing a Theory of Change in Bangladesh” is the result of an initiative by three UN agencies namely UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women, three INGOs namely Plan, Save the Children and BRAC as well as the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA).

Mr. Md Ashraf Hossain, Director General, Department of Women Affairs, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs welcomed the initiative and expressed his Ministry’s commitment to combating child marriage as the Chief Guest of the inauguration session.

Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, UNFPA Representative, Bangladesh said “I am hopeful, to see that these three UN agencies will put their hands together and will work towards eliminating child marriage from Bangladesh.” Furthermore she mentioned that in Asia Bangladesh holding the 1st rank in child marriage. So, we have to identify the root causes and consequences, and then we can take proper initiatives to raise awareness and sensitize the people to stop child marriage. I know it is challenging, will take time to change, but if we work together with commitment, we could reach our goal and can prevent violence against women and girls child marriage from Bangladesh.”

Ms. Senait Gebregziabher, Country Director, Plan International Bangladesh, mentioned that that “64% of women aged 20-24 years in Bangladesh got married before the legally permissible age of 18 years. It’s a huge challenge and we must tackle it to realise the development prospect of Bangladesh.” (Source: a recent Plan study).

Mr. Tariq-ul-Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Chief guest of closing session, along with representatives from the government, donors, UN agencies, INGOs, civil society, research institutes and media are taking part in the workshop that ends on 25 February 2014.