Bangladesh Takes Significant Steps to Curb Child Marriage with Support from UNFPA and UNICEF
DHAKA, 5 June 2024 – In a groundbreaking move, the Bangladesh government, in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF, has launched Phase III of the Global Programme to End Child Marriage. This initiative aims to reach over 6 million individuals across the nation and marks a crucial step towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The new phase of the program focuses on strengthening legal frameworks, increasing education completion rates, and shifting social norms to combat the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh. While progress has been made in reducing child marriage rates in certain districts, challenges persist, particularly for underprivileged, uneducated, and rural girls.
Speaking at the launch event, Ms. Simeen Hussain (Rimi), Honorable State Minister of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, emphasized the importance of eradicating child marriage and highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to implement the National Plan of Action to End Child Marriage.
With the government’s commitment to abolish marriages for girls under 18 by 2041, the Global Programme aims to accelerate efforts and ensure the full execution of the national action plan. By leveraging evidence-based interventions and comprehensive support, UNFPA and UNICEF are dedicated to empowering adolescent girls and young women in Bangladesh.
Through targeted investments in sexual and reproductive health services, comprehensive sexuality education, and life skills training, the program aims to equip girls with the tools to make informed decisions about their future. By engaging with communities, addressing root causes, and providing support to vulnerable individuals, UNFPA and UNICEF are striving to create a future where every child can thrive without the threat of child marriage.
The joint efforts of UNFPA, UNICEF, and their partners underscore a collective determination to ensure the well-being of children across Bangladesh and address the systemic issues that perpetuate child marriage. With a focus on poverty, gender-based violence, limited access to services, and humanitarian emergencies, the program aims to create lasting change and empower future generations.
Launched in 2016, the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage is supported by governments and organizations worldwide, highlighting the global commitment to safeguarding the rights of children and ending child marriage.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Miguel Mateos Muñoz
UNICEF Bangladesh
Tel: +88801713043478
Email: mmateosmunoz@unicef.org
Faria Selim
UNICEF Bangladesh
Tel: +8801817586096
Email: fselim@unicef.org
Farjana Sultana
UNICEF Bangladesh
Tel: +880 1911519507
Email: fasultana@unicef.org