Pregnancy before the age of 18 years old is prevalent among the lower per capita household income group, says a survey report shared on Wednesday.
The result came out in the survey report titled “Monitoring the Implementation of SDGs for Ensuring Girls and Child Rights in Bangladesh” which was shared in an event organized at a hotel conference room in Dhaka on Wednesday, according to a press release.
The event was jointly organized by Plan International Bangladesh, Aparajeyo Bangladesh, Yes Bangladesh and Youth for Change under the Y-moves Project.
The data collection was carried out in June 2021 and in January 2022. A total of 3,175 households were randomly chosen and interviewed especially women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from 64 districts of Bangladesh.
The prevalence of becoming pregnant before the age of 18 is the highest (46.3%) among the lowest per capita household income group (Tk2,500 per month), said the report.
The report reveals that, among the participants, 35.8% of the women in Bangladesh first became pregnant before the age of 18 years. The highest pregnancy was observed in Rangpur division (48.9%).
CourtesyShamim Ahmed, executive director of Yes Bangladesh, presented the key paper. He shared that most women aged 14-49 years have knowledge about family planning methods (93.9%) and 78.4% use such method.
The survey results show that decisions regarding the use of family planning (FP) methods are taken jointly by males and females in 69.3% of the households. They mostly receive Family Planning Information from Television (53.7%), Community Workers (33.2%) and Social Media (29.5%).
About 18.0% surveyed women faced physical violence over the last 12 months. About 21.9% (highest) of the women reported physical violence with less than Tk2,500 per capita monthly income and about 9.5% (lowest) of the women reported physical violence with more than Tk10,000 per capita monthly income.
Among the surveyed women 14.7% reported that they faced obstruction regarding studies or employment by male family members. The highest obstruction is found in Mymensingh division (20.1%).
The survey results reveal that about 46.2% of the households have children who faced physical punishment and/or psychological aggression at home and outside (eg educational institutions, public places, transport etc).
Aparajita Haque, member of parliament and member of Parliamentary Child Rights Caucus and Standing Committee (Post Telecommunication and Technology), addressed the survey report sharing event as the chief guest.
She said: “Bangladesh Government is determined to ensure women, specially girl children's rights. This survey result will help us to enrich our efforts. Youths are our change agents. We have to work together with them to build our smart Bangladesh.”
CourtesySpecial guest Member of Parliament Adiba Anzum Mita said: “Bangladesh Government is working towards ensuring women friendly society. Gender based violence is prevalent all over the world. Unpaid Care work of women are still not being recognized. We have to change this situation.”
Kabita Bose, country director of Plan International Bangladesh said: “Political commitment of the government is crucial to ensure overall development of women. We have to work together with the pledge that girls and women will have the right to make their own decisions. We have achieved a lot as a country, and there are lot more to achieve.”
Dr Md Manjur Hossain, program manager (A&RH), MCH unit, Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), said: “Ensuring health development for all is not possible for anyone alone. Government agencies and development partners have to work together. A lot of progress can be made through reducing child marriage and early pregnancy. Ensuring birth registration efficiently can play a key role here.”
The discussion was moderated by the Executive Director of Aparajeyo Bangladesh Wahida Banu.
Among others, Ayesha Siddiquee, deputy director, Department of Women's Affairs, Md Ariful Haque Mamun, deputy director (innovation), Governance Innovation Unit, Prime Minister's Office; Md Mustasim Billah, deputy chief, General Economic Division; Dr Munira Begum, joint chief, General Economic Division, and representatives of SDG Platform Members, spoke in the occasion.
