Reason of early Marriage among the urban poor:

Study on urban slums in Dhaka

Tasmia Foyez

Dev 504

September 2012

Masters of Development Studies

North South University

Introduction

Bangladesh’s socio-cultural environment contains persistent gender discrimination,

therefore girls and women face many obstacles to their development. Girls are often

considered to be financial burdens on their family, and from the time of birth, they

receive less investment in their health, care and education. With the beginning of

teenage years, differences in the ways that adolescent girls and boys are treated

become much more pronounced. Adolescence is not viewed as a distinct phase of life;

instead, the onset of physical maturity is seen as an abrupt shift from childhood to

adulthood. At teenage years, girls’ mobility is often restricted, which limits their access

to livelihood, learning, recreational, and social activities. Bangladesh’s rates of child

marriage and adolescent motherhood are among the highest in the world.1

On the other hand, early marriage resembles fatal diseases in developing countries like

Bangladesh, though many nongovernmental organizations along with government are

trying hard to reduce the rate. Not only in rural areas but also in the urban slums are

highly affected by this inclined virus. Parents are in most cases compelled to give

wedding their daughter because of intolerable poverty as well as insecurity. There are

high chances to be abused by awful people. According to the Demographic Health

Survey (DHS) of 2004, 46% of young girls aged between 15-19 years and 11% of girls

(aged 10-14 years) are married in Bangladesh (UNICEF 2006)2. In another study, it was

found that, nearly 40 percent of women from 60 percent of the population in

developing countries marry before 18 years of age. Among these, approximately 40-50%

young girls in South Asia and South East Asia are married before they reach the age of

18 (Growing up Global 2005)3. Number of recent studies have documented that early

marriage is negatively linked with health, education and economic outcomes (Jain and

Kurz, 2007; Mathur, Greene and Malhotra, 2003; Mensch, Singh and Casterline, 2005;

UNICEF, 2005)4. Therefore giving marriage signifies security, protection and meaning of

financially relief. Before the age of 18 years is violation of a number of international

human rights conventions. Early marriage is more prevalent in developing countries,

1 UNICEF, Women and girls in Bangladesh, June 2010, p1 2 Paper 7, Nasheeba Selim, 2006: ‘Early Marriage in Bangladesh: An Examination of the Social Institutions and

Processes, p129

3 Paper 7, Nasheeba Selim, 2006: ‘Early Marriage in Bangladesh: An Examination of the Social Institutions and

Processes, p130

4 http://epc2010.princeton.edu/download.aspx?submissionId=100279, p1

particularly in the poorer rural sections of the community a study by Singh and Samara

(1996)5.

This study addresses the key issues around the early marriage, which increase the rate,

age at marriage within the urban slums. Worldwide, poverty is a major cause, as well

therefore, of early marriage for many young girls under the age of 18. In many

traditional settings, poor families use the early marriage of daughters as a strategy for

reducing their own economic vulnerability, shifting the economic burden related to a

daughter’s care to the husband’s family. Therefore, Poverty is recognized as a major

deciding factor for early marriage of girls especially in poorer households. Where girls

are viewed as additional burden on family resources, they tend to be married off earlier

as a family survival strategy.

This paper is based on a qualitative and quantitative study undertaken with adolescent

girl in urban slums in Bangladesh that examined the fundamental causes of early

marriage among young girls.

Methodology

This research was based on survey, case studies and secondary materials. In addition to

that, informal discussions have been carried out with the slum girls who are married and

parents who gave marriage to their girls to have a clear idea about them. The primary data

were collected through direct interview method by using a set of questions like, personal

information of the parents of married girls as well as themselves. We have gathered

though the interview their age during wedding, education before wedding, source of

income and level of income of their parents to explore the reason like what were the basic

issues that causes early marriages. This study draws data from one-month intervention

research on urban slum girls conducted in July 2012. The research was undertaken in one

slum area of Dhaka at Bosila, Shonamiyer Bosty. We chose this area because, Bosila is

relatively poor area and level of education is very low. In addition, many marriages in slum

areas take place between young girls. Bosila has a large number of slums.

5 Singh, S and Samara, R (1996) ‘Early marriage among women in developing countries’, in International Family

Planning Perspectives, vol. 22, issue 3, December 1996 :‘Early Marriage and Poverty, Exploring links for policy and

program development’, p8

Hypothesis

Low income of household causes early marriage

Social insecurity causes early marriage in urban slums

Dropout of school causes early marriage

Superstition causes early marriage

Lack of awareness causes early marriage

Sample Size

It was 30 married girls and 30 parents of married girls. It was purposive sampling. We chose

deliberately the sample. Snowball sampling was also following to survey. We have walked

through the slum, the sample girls were selected based on availability of married women at

their homestead. Those girls age of getting married in 09 -17 years.

Data analysis

1. Demographic information

Demographic information consists of numeric data or statistics involving groups of people.

This is about people in particular areas includes such characteristics as age, education,

income, and gender. The prime source for demographic information is the survey in this

paper. We would like to analysis through the demographic information so that the

objective of the study makes clear to all. According to the data collation by survey

questionnaires age of during getting married, education level before getting married,

current profession of spouse, married girl’s parental house income and expenditure before

marriage have been demonstrated through different pie charts and bar chart.

Age:

The chart shows that the rate of early marriage at the age group of 16 to 17 years

considerably much higher than the other age groups (80 percent slum girls in this range).

Group C is large percentage than group A and B (A: 09-12, B: 13-15). Comparatively group

A is lower than group B, though the percentage of marriage at this group remains in a

remarkable number, 17 percent. From the pie chart, we can see that 3 percent of girls are

victimized of early marriage. The low rate clearly indicates that urban people are relatively

conscious about the bad impact of getting married at this range of early age group.

Education level:

This bar chart indicates the level of education before getting married in the slum area of

Dhaka. We can see that girls in primary education have highest enrollment, which is

number of 13 compare to secondary and higher education. Secondary education level falls

significantly for those girls who living in slum areas, only 1 person. Similarly, the higher

secondary levels have no significant status; the number is zero in these two levels.

Therefore, this chart signifies that most of the girls are not literate. A few numbers of girls

had finished their primary education, but that is not satisfactory.

2. Parental information:

Family income per month

The chart demonstrates the group of A to D. Among these groups, A has the highest

percentage of income level per month, 57 %. Which is taka 2000 to 5000. Compare to that,

only 7 percent of parents had income range of 12 thousand to 15 thousand beside that,

merely 13 percents of parents earned range of 9 thousand to 11 thousand taka, which is

also very low. At the same time if we look at the group B that represents 6 thousand to

only 8 thousand taka is 23 percent. Therefore, a large number of families earn taka

2thousand to 8thousand. Which give so much pressure them to reduce their financial

burden in any way. Therefore, girls have to suffer for this.

Family Expenditure:

This chart indicates that only 7 percent of family had spend taka 5 to 6 thousand according

to their per month income. However, most of the family had to spend beyond their

income. They were bound to cross their income level. Where we have seen in the previous

chat that a large number of family earn only 2 to 8 thousand taka per month, they are

forced to borrow money to lead their family. Therefore, it is now clear that they would like

to adjust their expenditure with their family income.

Case Study

It has been conducted to depict the causes, which cannot analyze through chart or table or

any numerical numbers. Only quantities data can analyze by using chart.

Salma Rani is 2o-year-old woman, living in an urban slum in Dhaka

city. Before getting married, she lived with her parents in another

slum area in Dhaka city. They were 5 members in their family. Her

father was sole earner in their family. He was a rickshaw puller. Her

mother was a homemaker. She was elder among her siblings. Her

siblings were too younger than she was. Slama was the only child

was studying. Because, her parents could not afford other’s study

cost. Her parents used to see in their dream that she would be a

schoolteacher and enlighten the society. However, reality was not

in their favor. Life is not like cinema that we are used to watch in

television and entertain us.

She was passing though a hard time in her parent’s house at that time. Finally, situation

had forced her to get married. Salma went to school regularly next to her slum. However,

she was not secured at her pathway during going to school. She had got panic and

eventually got sick mentally. Some fearful people used to bully her continuously when she

went to school and back to her home. Situation was getting serious gradually. One of them

blackmailed her that they would kidnap her if she would not agree to make relation one of

them. Therefore her parents have had to give marriage her immediately to get rid of this

situation.

“Social insecurity was the key factor to get

married earlier. I was victimized of eve

teasing. Some terrified was used to seduce me. I was scared for their inconvenient attitude. Eventually my parents

stopped going to school. Then life

became full of hell to me. I was nothing to do,

said Salma”

Living with uncertainty

Momena Khatun was third child among four in her family. 13-year-

old Momena wanted to become a doctor. However, she got

married when she was 14. Now she is 18-year-old. Her elder

brother was sole earner in her parental family. His monthly income

was only 7 thousand taka. Her father could not physically able to

earn money for their family. Therefore, it was difficult for her

father to support financially. She had to stop her going to school

for their financial problem.

Momena became unexpected for her family only for their lower

income rate. Her elder brother did not give them financial support every month. Because,

he had spent his money to his wife regularly. Some times Momena and her family was

starving without food. It was very common in her parental family. Momena was forced to

get married earlier for these reasons.

Majibar Rahman is 60-year-old, living in Bosila slumm in

Dhaka. He is a rickshaw puller, earns 4 to 5 thousand taka

per month. He has four children; three daughters (elder

one has been married) and one son. It is so much harder to

lead a family with only 5thousand taka in a month. He is

migrated from northern part of Bangladesh. He has come

to Dhaka for being better than his past. However, reality

contradicts to his plan. He has to live is slum area.

He thought money does not matter in Dhaka. It flies in the

sky, just need to know the technique to catch it. Anyway,

his elder daughter had to victimize badly for cruel this

reality. He thought because of his financial crisis that

marriage could give her daughter a better life financially and protect socially from any

inconvenience. As well as, it would reduce his financial burden a bit.

Misery of Momena Khatun

Reality does not match with dream

“If my father could earn I would not have to get married possibly.

I said possibly, because lower income was not the only key

issue for that I got married. My living place was not secured for

me. So many times, I had to victimize of eve teasing.

Including that, my father’s physical condition was not good.

He might die anytime, so my elder brother wanted me to get

married immediately, said Momena.”

“I had no way without giving marriage of my elder daughter at the very early age at that

time. I could not maintain my family with this too low-

income rate. Including financial problem,

social insecurity was an issue, said Majibar.”

Mr. Hossain Miya is a day laborer, works in daily basis at Dhaka city. He earns 5 to 6

thousand taka per month. It is not sufficient for his

family to live better in this costly city. He has three

children in his family. Therefore, it is burden for him to

lead in this earning. In addition, it is not a fixed income.

Every day he cannot get the work to do, someday he

and his family have to starving. He lives in a slum.

Hossain has one daughter name Shely. Shely was only

14 at that time. Hossain had taken a decision to give

marriage her daughter because of his too low income.

His monthly income was so uncertain so his family was

not secured financially and they all are having health hazards. Anyway, 3 years ago Hossain

had arranged a marriage for her daughter. Shely did not agree but she was force-d to his

marriage.

Characteristics of Control variables in our study

We have collected data of 21 samples to compare with the early-married girls. We wanted

to find out the reason, therefore went to the same slum and gathered some information on

two issues. Let us see below:

Number of girls going to school Income level of their family

10 16,000

5 13,000-15,000

3 10,000-12,000

2 8000-9000

1 7500

Number of girls unmarried age between 13 to 18 above

Income level of their family

8 16,000

6 13,000-15,000

4 10,000-12,000

2 8000-9000

1 7500

Hossain Miya and his family

“I had no money at that time in my hand. However, god

saved me; parents of bridegroom did not offer

anything in this marriage. I could not any security to my

daughter. She was too adorable to me. However, financially I could give her

protection. As well as, socially, because the slum’s

environment is not good, said Hossain.”

We can see from these two tables that higher income level ensures the financial security

for a girl. Parents do not give them marriage and they can go to the school. In both table

we can see that who have 16 thousand taka monthly income they send their daughters to

the school and do not give marriage. Compare to this that have 7thousand 5hundred taka

monthly income they are in vulnerable condition. In most cases, they have to give marriage

their daughters. Therefore, the ration is too low.

Findings

Current Profession of spouse:

According to the- pie chart, 67 percent of married girls and their husbands are working as

maidservant or house cleaner and day laborer. We can see the girls in garments sector is

only 20 percent, where most of the girls are in household work as maidservant. Only 13

percent of girls can stay their home but they are not willingly staying their home. Only

because of their kids, they are compelled to stay at home to look after their children. This

study found only two professions, house cleaner and garments worker. These girls have no

other option to work in another place. As most of the husbands are day labor, they have to

find work for their financial support or security. We have drawn this chart to demonstrate

that, parents are used to think marriage can give financial protection beside social security

as well as it reduces the economic load of their family. However, to analyze this chart we

can see that, to be financially secured girls have to work for different places like house as

servant, garments as workers and so on.

Social Insecurity

Everyone both parents and married girls said that the environment of the slum is horrible

and unsecured for a young girl.

Age of the girls before getting married

The respondents were young in the age group of 9 to 17 years.

Educational background of the married girls

A large number of respondents were illiterate.

Occupation of the married girls

Most of the girls are working as house cleaner and garments workers.

Monthly household income of married girl’s family earner during their marriage

The data shows that many of the respondents belonged to poor economic group.

Monthly household income of their family ranged between Taka 2 to 10 thousand.

Television Access

No one has television access in his or her home. Everyone leads very vulnerable life

therefore; they do not have ability to afford a television. For that, they cannot get the

awareness message.

Family members

Most of the girls have too many siblings, therefore their parents had to decide to give

marriage earlier to reduce family burden.

Reason behind arranging marriage

Among 30 parents, 25 said that insecurity as well as low income is the root cause of

coming up decision to give marriage of their daughters.

Parent’s opinion on early marriage

If their per month income would be at least 15 thousand and children would two,

daughter was only then they might not take this decision.

Hypothesis of evidence has been found that early marriage take places mainly because of

low income and social insecurity. Therefore, the first two hypnosis of the study have been

proved. Nevertheless, no evidence has been found to proof the other three hypotheses,

drop out of school, superstition and lack of awareness.

Recommendations

Urban slums should be settled in a secured place where they can lead their life

with security and self-respect.

NGOs and government should ensure the employment of slum dwellers

The social security of women in slum areas should be ensured to include them in

the working force.

Moral awareness programs can be taken among the slum males to change their

outlook towards women.

Conclusion:

Early marriage cannot eliminate overnight. Many social factors are highly responsible for

this. Urban slums are basket of problems in Dhaka city. Not only NGOs, government

should take serious measure to solve their hazardous problems. They are in danger and

most vulnerable condition from every angle.

Reference:

1. http://epc2010.princeton.edu/download.aspx?submissionId=100279

2. Naana Otoo-Oyortey and Sonita Pobi, 2003: ‘Early Marriage and Poverty, Exploring links for

policy and programme development’:

http://www.swaasthya.net/pdf/Early%20Marriage%20&%20Poverty%20-

%20publication.pdf

3. Marital Status of Women in Slum Areas of Dhaka City: http://www.dwatch-

bd.org/ggtp/Research%20Reports/research2.pdf

4. Paper 7, Nasheeba Selim, 2006: ‘Early Marriage in Bangladesh: An Examination of the Social

Institutions and Processes, http://www.bracresearch.org/monographs/mono_31.pdf

5. http://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/Women_and_girls_in_Bangladesh.pdf

6. Women and girls in Bangladesh: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2928105/

Appendix

Survey Questionnaire for socioeconomic information

Survey#:__________

Enumerator name_______________________

1st Visit -------- 2nd Visit-------- 3rd Visit--------

0: No one at home 1: Contact but survey not completed 2: Survey refused/could not find

3: Survey completed

Name of slum area________________

Region_____________________ Ward no_____________________

Post_______________________ District_____________________

A. Personal information of respondent

Interview of respondent:

Now, I would like to ask you a few questions about your family and household

responsibilities.

Please remember that this information will remain anonymous.

1. How old are you now? _______________

2. In which age have you got married?____________

a. 09-12 b. 13-15 c. 16-17

3. How many kids do you have? ____________________

4. How long have you given birth your first child after getting

married?______________

5. Do you have television access at your home? Yes/No

(If Yes, please fill out question 10)

6. Did you see soap opera and advertise on against early marriage, complications

during pregnancy before getting married?

7. Who had arranged your wedding? ____________________

8. Before getting married in your parent’s house; who had earned money? a.

Father b. Brother c. Mother

9. What did your father do?__________________

10. What was your family’s earner’s profession? ______________________

11. Except father, was there anyone who was khana leader?____________________

12. Who was your family’s khana leader?_________________________

13. What was your family’s per capita income per month? _______________

14. What was your family’s monthly expenditure? _________________

15. At that time how many member do you had in your family?

____________________

16. How many siblings do you have?_________________________

17. Why have you got married before 18 years old?(girl) _________________

18. What did you do before getting married? _____________________

19. What was your menu of meal? ___________________________

20. How have done your wedding? _______________________________________

B. Survey Questionnaire:

Education level of spouse

1. What is the level of education that you have completed?

a. Primary (class 1 to 5) b.Secondary (class 6 to 10) c. Higher Secondary (class 11 to 12)

d. Tertiary e. No answer

2. What is the level of education that your husband has completed?

a. Primary (class 1 to 5) b.Secondary (class 6 to 10) c. Higher Secondary (class 11 to 12)

d. Tertiary e. No answer

3. What is your income source?_________________________

4. Do you participate in your family income now?________________

C. Parent’s questionnaire:

1. Why had you arranged marriage of your

daughter?__________________________________

2. Had felt insecurity about your

daughter?_____________________________________________

3. Do you know the exact age of marriage?

_____________________________________________

4. Did your daughter agree with you to get

married?_______________________________________

5. How many kids do you have?

___________________________________________________

6. If you would have only daughter, would you give

marry?____________________________________

7. What do you do?___________________________________________

8. What is your income source?___________________________________

9. Your monthly and yearly income?____________________

10. Except the mentioned income, do you have another

source?_________________________________