Citation

Hossain MJ, Soma MA, Bari MS, Emran TB, Islam MR. BMJ Paediatr Open 2021; 5(1): e001328.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001328

PMID

34841091

PMCID

PMC8611234

Abstract

The social burden of Bangladesh's already prevalent child marriage problem has further flared up amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to briefly report on the current scenario of underage marriage in Bangladesh from available sources and highlight concerns. The prevalence of child marriage has increased by at least 13% due to pandemic-enforced long-term school closure throughout the country, while many cases remain unreported. Exacerbated financial crisis, the prolonged shutdown of educational institutions and social insecurities are the principal triggering factors for such a high pace of child marriages. We urge the government and local administrations to address the current situation through concerted and integrated efforts to combat the early marriage crisis in Bangladesh.

Language: en

Keywords

child abuse; COVID-19; child psychiatry