Community Mothers Trained to Combat Child Marriage in Bangladesh

• A two-day training program was held in Dhaka for 20 local mothers to empower them to prevent child marriage and protect girls' rights.
• The initiative emphasizes that ending child marriage requires active family and community engagement beyond just legal enforcement.
• Organized by Nari Unnayan Shakti and Young Women for Development Rights and Climate, the training focused on grassroots leadership and advocacy.

Scope of the Issue

• According to the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 47.2% of women aged 20–24 were married before 18, and 13.4% were married before age 15.
• Child marriage leads to disrupted education, increased health risks from early pregnancy, domestic violence, and economic dependency.
• 38.9% of girls aged 15–19 in the country are currently married.

Training Objectives

• Enhancing understanding of the root causes and consequences of child marriage.
• Identifying girls at risk and providing support for educational continuity.
• Establishing communication strategies for families and community leaders to promote collective action.
• Strengthening the role of local organizations in connecting families to government support services.

Call to Action

• Participants urged the Government of Bangladesh to improve partnerships between state institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
• Emphasis on regular awareness initiatives and enhanced socio-economic support for vulnerable families.
• Continued commitment to keeping girls in school and ensuring their future safety through local leadership and active participation.