Breaking the Cycle: Child Marriage in Bangladesh and Nepal – Causes, Consequences, and the Road to Change By Nagyb Farhan Dipto | Public Health Specialist Introduction Child marriage remains one of the most persistent barriers to achieving gender equality, protecting children's rights, and improving public health in South Asia. Although significant progress has been made over the past few decades, millions of girls continue to be married before reaching the age of 18. This harmful practice deprives children of their education, health, safety, and future opportunities while perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh and Nepal continue to face substantial challenges despite having legal frameworks, national strategies, and numerous interventions aimed at ending child marriage. Evidence from governments, international organizations, researchers, and civil society consistently shows that child marriage is not simply a cultural tradition ...