Publications

Child labor and marriage are pressing issues in Bangladesh, driven by poverty and traditional norms. While the CLARISSA program addressed hazardous labor in Dhaka, rural areas struggle with limited parent-adolescent communication on sensitive topics like marriage and education. To address this, the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) piloted an eight-session intervention in two rural districts, engaging 92 households. The program aimed to foster open dialogue on gender norms, marriage, and education through tailored, interactive sessions. Data from interviews, focus groups, and observations evaluated the intervention’s effectiveness, guiding improvements for broader application in similar contexts.

Researchers: Hossain, Marjan; Islam, Md. Rohmotul; Jahan, Nusrat

Timeline: 2024

Status: Completed

Contact: Marjan Hossain; marjan.hossain@bracu.ac.bd

Context:

The article explores the potential influence of a communication intervention on child marriage in rural Bangladesh, where traditional norms, poverty, and gender dynamics significantly influence adolescent girls’ futures. Many parents perceive early marriage as a social and economic safeguard for their daughters, often overriding their aspirations for education or employment. Open communication about these issues between parents and adolescents is rare, with discussions considered sensitive and often avoided. Against this backdrop, the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) piloted an intervention to improve parent-adolescent communication about gender norms, marriage, education, and technology use.

Objective:

The pilot intervention aimed to assess whether fostering open dialogue between parents and adolescents could positively influence decision-making processes, especially concerning child marriage and education. The study sought to evaluate the intervention’s implementation and refine the program for broader application in similar social contexts.

Methodology:

The program consisted of eight structured sessions facilitated by trained counselors in two Bangladeshi districts, involving 92 households divided into treatment and control groups. The curriculum was tailored for rural settings and included interactive activities. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations.

Findings:

• Program Reception: Mothers and adolescents showed positive engagement, particularly with female facilitators. Fathers’ participation was minimal due to work obligations, limiting insights into their perspectives.
• Behavioral Changes: Mothers adopted praise and assertive communication over physical discipline, while adolescents demonstrated increased appreciation for their parents and a willingness to challenge gender norms through shared household responsibilities.
• Persistent Gender Norms: Deep-seated beliefs about chastity and social reputation influenced parental decisions, including restricting daughters’ mobility and technology use. Education was valued primarily for enhancing marriage prospects rather than career opportunities.
• Parental Roles: Fathers, as primary decision-makers, often excluded mothers from critical household decisions. Mothers, despite encouraging communication, remained constrained by patriarchal norms.

Recommendations:

• Future interventions should actively involve fathers and other male family members to address the patriarchal dynamics shaping household decisions.
• Programs should integrate broader economic opportunities for women to challenge existing gender norms effectively.
• Efforts to promote open communication should consider underlying societal and economic factors influencing parental decisions about daughters’ futures.
• Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of such interventions on educational and marital outcomes for girls in similar contexts.