The period covered by the pandemic has witnessed another epidemic, child marriage, returning to some areas of Bangladesh as educational institutes were closed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Poor families in the country's hinterland, who once were convinced to send their children to school by the school meals program eased the burden on them to feed.    However, the covid-19 is contained or not during this period, the education of the girl students has been stopped due to child marriage. Especially in Kurigram, the rate of child marriage is increasing rapidly, cannot be contained in any way. The girl students of this area are now living in their husband's houses at an early age. Read: Child marriage rates soar in Cox's Bazar in the shadow of pandemic More than 500 schoolgirls belonging to 43 educational institutions of Fulbari Upazila were married off during this pandemic, confirmed Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md Abdul Hai. The highest number of child marriages were reported of students in the Borovita Girls' High School and Borovita High School in Borovita union of the upazila. Around 87 girls in Borovita Girls' High School and 55 girls including three SSC examinees in Borovita High School have been the victim of child marriage, said the headmasters of the schools. Read Initiative launched to end child marriage in Bangladesh Md Matiur Rahman Khandaker, the headmaster of Borovita Girls' High School said, "Based on preliminary information, we have received data of marriages of 87 students of 6th to 10th grade and SSC candidates."  Of course, it was not possible to go to every house and get information about the marriage. In many cases, the news has been confirmed by classmates and neighbours. "However, the actual number may increase further," said the headmaster. Read Patuakhali child marriage: case filed against UP chairman and five others He also said the Upazila Secondary Education Officer has been informed through a detailed letter containing names and other information.

  Although the overall rate of child marriage has dropped in the country, the number in the Bhola district is still alarming.  The national child marriage rate for children under the age of 15 is 15.5% but it is 19% in Bhola. Also, the national rate of marriage of children under 18 is 51.4%, but it is 80.3% in the district. COAST Foundation Joint Director Iqbal Uddin Saturday came up with the findings at the webinar "Causes, Impact and Ways to Prevent Child Marriage." Also read: 13,886 child marriages in 7 months during Covid-19 outbreak: MJF The COAST study notes that "insecurity" among parents is one of the major causes of child marriage as 41.7% of those surveyed identified insecurity as the main cause of child marriage. Other factors included protection of family honour (41%), lack of awareness (44.9%), and poverty (50.9%). The study found that 67.3% of girls get married after passing eighth grade. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry Chairman Meher Afroz Chumki said despite many initiatives of the government, there is still a problem of attitude towards girls in society. Also read: 10 million additional girls at risk of child marriage: Unicef Shireen Huq, member of Naripookho, said: "Not only punishment but also cultural change and social movement are needed to prevent child marriage. Integrated sex education can play an important role in preventing child marriage." Manusher Jono Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "To prevent child marriage and its negative impact, it is crucial to bring the girls back, who have dropped out, to school." Also read: Bangladesh has the highest prevalence of child marriage in S Asia: UNICEF SM Latif said a study found that 33% of parents find child marriage acceptable. "This situation must change. The primary reasons for child marriage vary widely in different areas. So solving the problem will require division-based programs."

Speakers at an advocacy meeting in Bhola’s Charfesson said that awareness of Kazis and Imams can prevent child marriage and ultimately help reduce violence against women.

Despite significant progress in recent years, Bangladesh has the highest prevalence of child marriage in South Asia and ranks among 10 countries in the world with the highest levels, said UNICEF on Wednesday.