Bangladesh: Muslim association proposes lowering marriage age for girls to 16, boys to 18

The Muslim Marriage Registrars Association in Bangladesh has proposed lowering the legal marriage age for girls to 16 while maintaining 18 for boys, news reports said. The request, presented at a press conference on February 4, aims to reflect the country’s social and religious needs.

The association’s executive director, Dr. Mohammad Golam Kabir, emphasized that this change is not only a longstanding public demand but also an essential step to ensure that marriage age aligns with the psychological and physical maturity of both genders.

In addition to the marriage age proposal, the association also called for the protection of marriage registrars’ rights through clear legislation, permanent appointments for registrars, and restructuring recruitment processes to ensure professionalism.

The association argued that the proposed changes align with the social and religious realities of Bangladesh and will provide girls and boys with the opportunity to marry in a secure environment. The proposal has sparked discussions on how to balance tradition with modern societal needs.