Child marriage robs girls of their childhood, their education, and their future. It remains a reality in many parts of the world, particularly in communities facing deep poverty and food insecurity. When families are struggling to survive, parents may feel they have no choice but to marry off their daughters at a young age in order to reduce the number of mouths to feed.
In Bangladesh, one of the countries with the highest rates of child marriage, World Renew’s partner works alongside local leaders to help families see a different path forward. By mid‑2020, six Peacebuilding & Justice (PB&J) committees—made up of 90 trained community leaders—were actively working to prevent child marriages in their areas. Through their efforts, thousands of parents committed to keeping their children in school and delaying marriage.
But for Shanta*, a 16‑year‑old girl from a very poor family, no such commitment initially protected her.
When Poverty Leaves No Easy Choices
In 2019, Shanta’s father became bedridden, forcing the family into even deeper hardship. They could no longer afford school fees, and Shanta was forced to leave her studies behind.
“I missed reading. I missed school,” she later shared.
When the COVID‑19 pandemic reached Bangladesh in March 2020, the family’s situation worsened. Shanta’s mother lost her job as a housemaid, and with no income and little food, her parents decided to arrange Shanta’s marriage.
When PB&J leaders learned what was happening, they visited the family to intervene. They pleaded with Shanta’s parents, explaining that she was still a child and encouraging them to let her continue her education. Her father responded with heartbreaking honesty:
“Will you provide food for my family? Will you take the responsibility of my daughter?”
A Community Steps In
Preventing child marriage requires more than words—it requires practical support. As part of World Renew’s approach, PB&J committees build strong relationships with local government officials, teachers, and school administrators. This collaboration has led to child‑marriage awareness being included in school lessons and access to government education allowances for vulnerable students.
Because of these connections, the PB&J leaders were able to act quickly for Shanta’s family. They helped find work for her mother, connected the family to emergency food assistance, and worked with the school so Shanta could return to her studies without fees once lockdowns ended.
Shanta was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“I feel like I’ve been freed from a curse,” she said.
Child marriage is one of many harmful ways families under severe economic pressure try to survive. Around the world, vulnerable parents are also targeted by human traffickers who deceive or coerce them into surrendering their children. These children are then forced into labor, begging, criminal activity, or sexual exploitation.
World Renew and its partners work to address the root causes of these injustices—strengthening families, expanding education, and supporting communities so parents are never forced to choose between survival and their children’s future.
*Name changed to protect identity.
