New Law in Bangladesh Intended to Reduce the Marriageable Age of Girls to Zero Years

Bangladesh is 89% Muslim. Sharia permits marriage at any age.

Translated by Google from Dutch (I think)

A new law in Bangladesh effectively reduces the age of marriage to zero years. The advocates maintain that it applies only in cases of the "higher good" for children and parents. But children's organizations react horrified - and fear a wave of rape.

Bangladesh wants to adopt a new law, which allows to marry girls shortly after birth. In this way, the government tolerates the obligation to force minors under 18 years of age to marry under "special circumstances", for example in the case of an unwanted pregnancy. The legislation offers an enormous amount of space for interpretation.

Children are not asked

A concrete definition or age limit does not exist. A global movement named "Girls Not Brides", which aims to prevent childhood, says the law would tolerate a marriage from birth. Although these must be approved by the courts, the children are not asked.

"There should be better ways"

Here, the decision is entirely with the parents. The counter-movement is certain that the lack of a definition of marital rape would prevail. There could be "better ways to secure the future of a young girl," the civil society organization said. 

While the government has approved the legislation, President Abdul Hamid has yet to sign the draft before it enters into force.