Study reveals two-thirds of garment workers marry before 18 in Bangladesh

A study has found that two out of three female garment workers in Bangladesh marry before the age of 18, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by women working in the country’s apparel industry.

The research, conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), says almost 65 percent have had their first pregnancy before reaching 18.

One in three of them experienced at least one unwanted pregnancy during their lifetime, according to the study.

The research, which spans from August 2022 to December 2024, focused on garment workers in the slums of Karail, Mirpur, and Tongi. The findings were presented at a seminar on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women workers in the garment sector, held at icddr,b in Dhaka.

This research was funded by Global Affairs Canada and is the first of its kind in the garment sector. The study surveyed 778 workers aged 15 to 27, with data collected through bi-annual surveys.

The study also revealed an increase in awareness of long-term family planning methods among workers. Initially, 49 percent of women were aware of these methods, but this figure rose to 70 percent after two years.

Knowledge of emergency contraceptive pills also increased, from 15 percent to 39 percent during the study period.

Gender equality in family planning, where both the husband and wife have equal say, also saw a positive shift. The percentage of workers supporting this concept grew from 54 percent to 71 percent, the report said.

However, the findings also indicated high levels of violence against women both at home and at the workplace.

In the last 12 months, a significant proportion of workers reported facing violence from their husbands.

Mental abuse at the workplace also saw an increase, with 48 percent of workers initially reporting it, rising to 55 percent after two years.

Despite the widespread violence, very few women seek formal support. Initially, 35 percent of women sought help from families or friends, but by the end of the study, only 21 percent did.

Moreover, only one in five women reported workplace violence to the authorities, and this figure did not improve over the two years.

Dr Ruchira Tabassum Naved, the principal investigator, noted that despite economic progress, the sexual and reproductive health of women in the garment industry remains worse than that of other women.

“More detailed research on the factors affecting these conditions is needed, and collective action from the government, development agencies, and partners is essential,” she said.

Farzana Sharmin, joint secretary of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the patriarchal society makes it difficult for women to maintain a work-life balance, and their opinions on issues like pregnancy are often overlooked.

Dr Ubaidur Rob, former director of the Population Council Bangladesh, emphasised the need for increased knowledge and access to reproductive health services for workers, regardless of their workplace.