650 million women alive today were child brides, and millions of girls are at risk of marriage each year. For many, child marriage means a life of hardship, ill health, and low educational achievement. Find out the 10 worst countries in the world for child marriage and how to help prevent it.
Bangladesh
Why World Vision is in Bangladesh
Poor water and sanitation, early marriage, and natural disasters plagued Bangladesh in 2015. At least 21 people died in floods and landslides after heavy rains. 20 million people do not have access to safe water and 63 million people don’t have latrines. Waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea present a major health challenge in Bangladesh, where 100,000 children die of these illnesses every year and millions of others suffer from malnutrition. Child marriage presents another critical issue for the country. Nearly one third of Bangladeshi girls are married before age 15, which is the highest rate of child marriage in the world for this age group. World Vision’s efforts in 2015 centered on improving nutrition and sanitation and eliminating child marriage. Malnourished kids were treated with vitamin and food supplements to increase their weight and parents learned about cooking with nutritious local ingredients. School children and adults alike were trained on proper handwashing techniques. We trained committees, children, youth, church members, and men and women to advocate against child marriage.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Bangladesh ❯
Progress in Bangladesh
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- To help families provide for their children's education and healthcare, we trained farmers on new agriculture techniques to increase their yields. We also equipped farmers in small business management and marketing so they could sell their crops to more consumers.
- Children and youth joined our child protection groups to learn about leadership skills, child protection, and children's rights to education, healthcare, and protection.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- As part of a nutrition program we implemented, malnourished children received critical vitamin and food supplements and mothers attended trainings on childhood nutrition and disease prevention.
- Our clean water and sanitation awareness campaigns for schoolchildren and community members helped encourage handwashing, personal hygiene, and waste management.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- We facilitated life-skills trainings for children and youth in order to promote essential lessons such as confidence, leadership, communication, decision making, and good judgment.
- We supported local preschools and raised awareness among parents of preschoolers on the importance of reading and play to support their children's development at home.
Love of God and Neighbors
Children and families are growing spiritually, local churches are strengthened to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways, and people are living at peace with their neighbors.
- Following Christ’s example, we worked alongside children and families to change lives, promote peace and understanding, and demonstrate God’s unconditional love.
Prayer Requests from Bangladesh
World Vision's staff in Bangladesh are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Toddlers who are not receiving adequate diets and are malnourished.
Parents to find employment so they can provide for their children.
News from Bangladesh
From the Field
Forced to flee: Top countries refugees are coming from
More than two-thirds of the world’s 25.4 million refugees come from just five countries. Overall, more than 68.5 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced. Why did they flee, where are they going, and what can be done to address the plight of refugees, especially children?
From the Field
Enlisting ‘an army’ of breastfeeding moms to save lives
A safe and supportive place for breastfeeding moms is a life-saving gift for the youngest and most vulnerable survivors of conflict or disaster. World Vision’s women and young children spaces help moms provide nutrition and nurture for children under age 5.
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