Child Marriage Still a Major Challenge in Bangladesh: UNICEF

Nearly half of women in Bangladesh were married before the age of 18, UNICEF has said, warning that child marriage threatens girls’ education, health and future opportunities.

Following a three-day visit to Bangladesh, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on Tuesday called for urgent investment in children and outlined three key priorities for the country.

During her visit, Russell met families in Korail, one of Dhaka’s largest informal settlements, as well as Rohingya refugees and members of host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

She called for an end to child marriage and urged efforts to keep girls in school so they could continue their education. She also stressed the need to fulfil the government’s commitment to allocate 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to education and health, and to ensure quality education for Rohingya refugee children and children in host communities.

Russell shared the story of a 14-year-old girl named Bushra, who was protected from early marriage through the intervention of community leaders at a UNICEF-supported child protection hub.

“I met a 14-year-old girl named Bushra, who told me how community leaders at a UNICEF-supported child protection hub had worked with Bushra’s father to save her from early marriage,” Russell said.

“Keeping girls in school and providing them with the health, education and protection services they need will deliver on a brighter future for them, their communities and Bangladesh,” she added.

According to the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025, 47.2 percent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before turning 18.

Child marriage can disrupt girls’ education, increase the risk of early pregnancy and limit their future opportunities.

During her visit, Russell also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. She welcomed the government’s commitment to increasing investment in education and health and called for the pledge to be implemented.

“Budgets reveal priorities,” Russell said. “Investing in children’s quality education, health, nutrition and protection is investing in Bangladesh’s future.”

Russell also praised Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees, stressing that refugee children must have access to education despite the hardships they have endured.

These children have already lost much because of “violence, displacement and uncertainty”, she said, adding that they should not be deprived of education as well.