The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Sirajganj

The number of early marriages and divorce are on the rise in rural areas of Pabna, Natore, Bogra and Sirajganj districts.

Marriage of girls below the age of 18 and the boys of below 20 years of age is restricted in this third largest Muslim country of the world, but the situation is different in rural areas and most girls of 12 years are married, locals said. There are allegations that the marriage registers record the ages of boys and girls much above their actual age in marriage documents in exchange of illegal money.

Some affluent people usually marry poor pretty girls to use them as domestic aid. Most early marriages are solemnized because of their love affairs of the boys and girls. According to a survey of an NGO 67 percent of the marriages in rural areas of these districts are solemnized through illegal ways and 43 percent of the marriages are not registered.