Child Marriage Practices in Refugee Camps: Strengthening Community for Prevention

Persecution of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group in Myanmar, constitutes a severe human rights violation. In 2017, large numbers of Rohingya fled to the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. This study aims to examine the micro-level causes and consequences of child marriage and to provide practice-based recommendations for strengthening community mechanisms to prevent it. A total of 100 married adolescents (50 girls and 50 boys) and their 100 caregivers (46 females and 54 males) were interviewed. The findings reveal notable differences in perspectives among the four respondent groups. Half of the girls (50%) reported that pressure from parents and relatives was the primary reason for their marriage, whereas a majority of boys (58%) indicated personal willingness. Among caregivers, 66% of those of married girls identified traditional customs as the main driver, while 54% of caregivers of married boys pointed to persuasion by grooms. The study also uncovers less visible causes and consequences of child marriage, as well as existing reporting mechanisms. Strengthening community structures and fostering collaboration with external actors are urgently needed to effectively prevent child marriage.