“Empower Girls through Education and Skill” in Bangladesh, A Safe Haven for Girls to Pursue Their Dreams and Break Free from Child Marriage
“I want to continue my education and break free from traditional and cultural limitations, I want to be a literate woman”, a Bangladeshi girl shared. In Hong Kong, our children enjoy the right to education; yet for girls living in Bangladesh, it is a hard-fought goal. Why is it so difficult for girls to continue studying? What challenges are they facing?
In Bangladesh, gender norms that prioritize men over women are prevalent, families often neglect the educational opportunities for girls. Additionally, many schools lack adequate female hygiene facilities, making it difficult for girls to attend school during their menstrual periods and forcing them to stay home instead. Girls often drop out during secondary school and fall victim to child marriage. According to UN’s statistics, the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh has reached 51%, which is the highest in Southeast Asia. 38 million girls have been married off before reaching 18 years old, among them, over 30% became child brides at only 15! Young girls often drop out due to the inconvenience associated with menstruation at school, and many helplessly become child brides, facing early pregnancies, endless household chores, and even worse, sexual violence and abuse, their bright futures are tarnished.
Since 2023, Plan International has launched the 2-year “Empower Girls through Education and Skill” project in Bangladesh, to empower girls through different means and build a better and safer learning environment for them, so that the school dropout rate can be reduced, and more girls can stay out of child marriage and be able to develop their potentials.
Beauty comes from a deprived community in Bangladesh, child marriage is a common phenomenon with girls aged 14 to 16 getting married, leaving their studies behind. Even though Beauty became a child bride, she regained hope thanks to Plan International’s support. Under the “Empower Girls through Education and Skill” project, Beauty’s parents agreed to allow Beauty to resume studies after our staff’s persuasion. Beauty also acquired practical skills in livestock-rearing and farming, starting to make a stable income to improve the living standard of her entire family. Moreover, Beauty received educational materials including a school bag, exercise books, and pens, motivating her to grow her knowledge and pursue her dreams.
“With the project’s support, I purchased a goat, 6 ducklings, and 4 hens, now, I have 4 goats, 14 ducklings, and 7 hens. By selling eggs and vegetables, I am receiving income and able to continue my studies. My parents are very happy that I can support them.”
Having a similar background and encounter as Beauty, Armina, who also came from an impoverished village, had experienced the threat of child marriage and felt anxious about her future. Plan International’s “Empowering Girls through Education and Skills” project provided skills training to vulnerable students at Armina’s school, enhancing their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and emotional management. Through participating in the project, Armina decided to bring positive changes and help combat child marriage in her village, preventing other female classmates from becoming victims. She works proactively with the Student Committee, introducing the negative impacts of child marriage to boys and girls. The members of the Student Committee regularly follow up with female students who have the potential of dropping out, hoping to rescue them from child marriage. Community leaders and teachers also actively assist Armina in stopping child marriage, allowing more girls to stay in school and transform their lives with knowledge!
“Life skills training provided by Plan International played the role of a mentor in my life to build my confidence. It sets a target for my future.”
Besides combating child marriage, the project also focuses on improving the school’s water and sanitation infrastructure so girls can learn without worries, restoring their confidence and dignity. 14-year-old Esha cherishes her chance to study at school but the unhygienic surroundings worried her. Even worse, she had to go to the bathroom shared by boys and girls during menstruation which was a pure nightmare for her! She often had to stay at home during menstruation, greatly hindering her academic progress.
With the support from Plan International, Esha’s school is now equipped with gender-specific bathrooms, safeguarding girls’ safety and privacy; sanitary items are provided which ensures girls can go to school even during menstruation without frustration. Esha can enjoy school life and learn without fear now. She is happy to explore endless possibilities for her future.
“Receiving sanitary items allows other classmates and me to study without worries. Apart from protecting our dignity, this transformation enhanced our reproductive health.
Before the renovation, the school was built using old tin shade; with Plan International’s support, there is a newly constructed common room just for girls’ use. The girls can take good rest during their menstruation.
Now, girls at school can use the gender-specific washroom happily, they no longer need to bear the unfriendly gaze from the boys.
In Bangladesh, many girls had to drop out of school due to poverty and unsafe school environment, making child marriage more prevalent. Plan International’s 2-year “Empower Girls through Education and Skill” project aims at providing life skills training to girls who have dropped out of school, inspiring them to overcome obstacles in life, as well as enabling them to achieve self-sustainability and granting themselves the chance to return to school again; the project also focuses on upgrading the water and sanitation facilities in schools so that more girls are able to stay in school. Around 20,000 girls and young women will be benefitted from the programme with their lives and status improved.
