UNICEF urges stronger action against child marriage in Bangladesh

After visiting Bangladesh, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called on 20 October for greater investment in children’s education, health and protection. She met families, students and Rohingya refugees in Dhaka’s Korail neighbourhood and Cox’s Bazar. Keeping girls in school was a central part of her appeal.

UNICEF cites the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey: 47.2% of women now aged 20–24 had married before 18. This measures the past experience of that age group, not the current share of all girls marrying. Early marriage can interrupt education and increase health risks.

UNICEF urged the government to fulfil a commitment to spend 5% of GDP on each of education and health, and called for continued learning for Rohingya and host-community children. The spending figure is a commitment and appeal, not evidence that the full funding has already been delivered.

Primary source: www.unicef.org
Cover: Illustration created by Shanraq for this story.