UNICEF chief urges Bangladesh to act as nearly half of women married before 18

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell has called on Bangladesh to step up investment in children and take urgent measures to end child marriage, as nearly half of the country’s women were married before the age of 18.

During a three-day visit to Bangladesh, Russell urged the government to keep girls in school, increase investment in education and healthcare, and ensure access to quality education for Rohingya refugee children and those in host communities.

In a press release issued on October 20, UNICEF said Russell visited Korail, Dhaka’s largest informal settlement, and Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where she met children, families and community members.

According to the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025, 47.2 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before turning 18. Child marriage often disrupts girls’ education, increases the risk of early pregnancy and limits their future opportunities.

UNICEF called for girls to complete secondary education and urged the authorities to address loopholes in the country’s laws that allow child marriage.

During her visit to Korail, Russell heard from children and parents about poverty, interrupted education and limited access to basic services. Adolescent girls also spoke about their aspirations and the pressures that can force them to leave school and marry early.

“I met a 14-year-old girl named Bushra, who told me how community leaders at a UNICEF-supported child protection hub had worked with Bushra’s father to save her from early marriage,” Russell said.

“Keeping girls in school and providing them with the health, education and protection services they need will deliver a brighter future for them, for their communities, and for Bangladesh.”

Russell also met senior government officials, including State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. She welcomed the government’s commitment to increase investment in education and healthcare, stressing the need to translate pledges into action.

“Budgets reflect priorities,” Russell said. “Investing in children’s quality education, health, nutrition and protection is investing in Bangladesh’s future.”

UNICEF called for the government to fulfil its commitment to allocate five per cent of the country’s gross domestic product to education and another five per cent to healthcare.

Rohingya children need continued education support

In Cox’s Bazar, Russell met Rohingya children and families and visited UNICEF-supported learning activities in one of the world’s largest refugee camp settings.

Recognising Bangladesh’s role in hosting Rohingya refugees, she urged the international community to maintain its support for both refugees and the communities hosting them.

At a UNICEF-supported learning centre, Russell heard from students and teachers about the importance of education and vocational skills. UNICEF said access to education also helps protect children from exploitation, trafficking, child marriage and recruitment by armed groups.

“Rohingya children have lost so much to violence, displacement and uncertainty. They cannot lose their education too,” Russell said. “The world must invest in them, and in the communities that welcomed them.”

UNICEF and its partners provide Rohingya refugees with essential services, including healthcare, nutrition support, safe drinking water, sanitation, education, child protection and psychosocial assistance. The organisation also supports vulnerable host communities.

UNICEF warns of funding challenges

Across Bangladesh, UNICEF works with the government and other partners to expand access to education, primary healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, safe water, sanitation and child protection services.

Its programmes also seek to prevent child marriage and violence against children, empower adolescent girls and strengthen social protection systems.

However, declining humanitarian funding threatens the continuity of essential services for Rohingya refugees and host communities, UNICEF said.

The organisation stressed that sustained international support is necessary to protect children, preserve progress already made and ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind.