Early marriage – often called child marriage – is common in rural Bangladesh despite laws preventing girls marrying before age 18. However social pressure, a lack of opportunities for women and girls, and the harsh realities of poverty often leave parents feeling they have no choice but to marry their daughters off at a young age.
Early marriage can have disastrous effects on every aspect of a girl’s life. Marriage often means an end to education, trapping girls and their families in a cycle of poverty where they are dependent on the income of male family members. It can have major implications on the mental and physical health of the girl, particularly if she becomes pregnant at a young age. Girls subjected to early marriage have also been found to be at a greater risk of abuse and contracting sexually transmitted infections.
Islamic Relief is working to educate communities on the dangers of early marriage and relevant national laws preventing it. In Bangladesh’s Rangpur Division, we launched the Preventing Early Marriage in Bangladesh project, targeting 300 girls aged 11-17 and their families. The girls we support come from poor homes and are subject to social exclusion and marginalisation.
One of the girls the project supports is Marufa, a 15-year-old who managed to escape the clutches of early marriage.
A talented student
Marufa was just two-and-a-half years old when her mother, Sharifa, left her abusive husband and returned to her family home.
Marufa’s grandfather is a day labourer who struggled to support his family, so Sharifa also sought employment, working at a poultry farm where she earned less than £1.50 each month.
Marufa’s mother has promised to support her daughter’s education now that she knows the dangers of early marriage.
Despite the family’s difficult situation, Sharifa wanted to support her daughter’s education as Marufa is a talented student and teachers have high hopes for her future.
However, when Marufa turned 15, many interested grooms began sending proposals to her mother. While Marufa knew about the dangers of early marriage and opposed to becoming a wife at such a young age, Sharifa was unaware and eventually bowed to community pressure.
“People drove me crazy saying that now is the time to get Marufa married,” Sharifa says. “My surroundings kept telling me that no matter how many degrees my daughter earns, ultimately, she has to end up running her household and raising children. I had no choice but to agree with them,” Sharifa says, adding: “What else can I offer my little girl?”
Intervention
Marufa was selected to take part in Islamic Relief’s project combatting early marriage. Sharifa also became involved as a member, and later president, of the local self-help group.
When news of Marufa’s impending marriage spread, group members and Islamic Relief intervened to explain to Sharifa the dangers of early marriage and the laws prohibiting it.
After the meeting, Sharifa promised not to marry Marufa off before she reached age 18, and committed to supporting her studies.
“I was convinced to arrange Marufa’s wedding because I was not aware of the harmful consequences,” Sharifa says. “I did not know anything about the existing laws of marriage. I will continue [supporting] her studies and won’t arrange her wedding.”
For her part, Marufa was relieved to have escaped an unwanted early marriage. “Marriage at an early age can pose multiple threats to young girls’ lives, health and future prospects,” she says.
“I will continue my study to get a decent job to earn my livelihood. I have the confidence to speak for others. I will work to prevent early marriages for girls like me.”