Capacity building of early married girls in Bangladesh

Almost 51% of girls have their first marriage before they turn 18 years old.

Being a girl in Bangladesh is a difficult reality as it has one of highest rates of early marriage in the world with 13 million girls being married by the age of 13. Early married girls and young women experience many forms of gender-based violence. With the support of the Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme, we are aiming to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and access to relevant quality services for early married girls, adolescents and young people in Bangladesh.

Mahmudul Kabir

Country manager Bangladesh

“With the one stop digital service centre we ensure opportunities for registering and reporting sex and labour trafficking. It provides support services and mobilises communities offline and online in order to report trafficking cases so that victims can get the support they need.”

Background

Prevalence of early marriages is high in Bangladesh. Almost 51% of girls have their first marriage before they turn 18 years old. The fear of getting married off early is looming over.

Due to religious conservatism, social stigma, and cultural barriers, girls and young people are marginalised and lack proper knowledge and information. Moreover, with the onset of COVID-19, violence within the community and individual households has risen.

Goals

The programme aims to improve knowledge and skills of early married girls, adolescents and young people to enhance their capacities to access relevant services from a rights perspective.

Approach

This project focuses on increasing the agency and capacity of early married girls and young people. Service providers are better equipped to work with them in a holistic and empathetic way.

Partnering

Evidence-based research

Mobilise communities