A recent government survey sheds light on the persistent challenge of adolescent childbearing in Bangladesh, primarily fueled by a surge in child marriages across the nation.
Published findings from the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2023, released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), reveal alarming trends. Approximately a quarter of pregnancies in the country occur among adolescents aged 15 to 19, indicating a substantial burden of adolescent childbearing.
The rise in child marriage rates correlates with the prevalence of adolescent pregnancies. Notably, the percentage of girls marrying before turning 18 increased from 40.9% in 2022 to 41.6% in 2023, with an even more concerning trend of marriages before 15 years of age, rising from 6.5% to 8.2% during the same period.
While urban areas witnessed a slight decrease in child marriage rates, rural Bangladesh experienced a concerning uptick, exacerbating the national average.
Despite legislative efforts such as the 2017 Child Marriage Restraint Law, concerns persist, particularly with provisions allowing marriages below 18 years under special circumstances. The prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is also cited as a contributing factor to the rise in child marriages.
Compounding the issue, adolescent pregnancies result in approximately 10% miscarriages or abortions, according to the BBS study. Statistics from UNICEF underscore the magnitude of the problem, with Bangladesh ranking high in adolescent childbirth rates compared to neighboring countries.
Efforts to combat this issue are underway, with UNICEF launching an “Acceleration Plan to Prevent Anaemia and Malnutrition in Women” in collaboration with partners, targeting high-prevalence countries like Bangladesh.
The path forward involves addressing root causes such as early marriage and enhancing education and awareness to mitigate the adverse effects of adolescent pregnancies. Without swift action, the cycle of ill-health and poverty perpetuated by adolescent childbearing will continue, hindering Bangladesh’s progress towards sustainable development goals.
