Concerns over violence against women and children, along with economic and social challenges, are contributing to a declining desire for motherhood among many women in Bangladesh, according to recent data and analysis. Despite longstanding aspirations to become mothers, growing apprehensions about the safety and well-being of children, particularly girls, have prompted some to reconsider starting or expanding their families.
In the first eight months of 2026, official police records documented 14,602 incidents of violence affecting women and children nationwide, averaging more than 60 cases daily. During this period, 254 children aged 0 to 17 died as a result of various forms of violence, ranging from rape and physical torture to domestic abuse and homicide. Data from the legal advocacy group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) highlight that nearly 29 percent of these child fatalities involved children aged six or younger.
These figures coincide with ongoing concerns over systemic issues in Bangladesh, including economic instability, high costs for basic necessities such as housing, food, and education, as well as corruption affecting social welfare programs. For instance, stalled immunization initiatives have been linked to the deaths of over 1,000 children this year from preventable diseases, indicating gaps in public healthcare delivery.
Experts and citizens alike point to the persistent vulnerability of girls and women as a significant deterrent to childbearing. Despite improvements in education and maternal healthcare over past decades, gender disparities remain pronounced. The World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Gender Gap Report highlights a dramatic drop in Bangladesh’s gender parity ranking—descending 55 places in one year—with particular setbacks in economic participation. Women’s annual earnings average approximately $4,670, substantially less than the $12,440 earned by men, despite increased female workforce participation.
Reproductive autonomy remains limited for many women, especially in rural areas. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) research shows that 77 percent of Bangladeshi women do not have control over decisions regarding when or how often to conceive. The recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025 found that nearly half of young women surveyed were married before 18, with some married before 15, reinforcing early childbearing patterns tied to limited educational attainment and societal pressures.
Dropout rates for girls remain high, with secondary education experiencing the highest attrition at nearly 35 percent in 2023. Early marriage is often linked to educational disruption and diminished autonomy, as many young brides have spouses significantly older, compounding gender and power imbalances. While women from wealthier and more educated households tend to marry later and stay in school longer, they are not immune to entrenched gender discrimination affecting multiple areas of life.
Advocates stress that these intersecting issues—violence, economic insecurity, limited reproductive choice, and educational disparities—contribute to widespread hesitation about motherhood. The challenges face distinct nuances across urban and rural settings, underscoring that voluntary childlessness is often a privilege unavailable to many.
As Bangladesh observes National Girl Child Day, officials, organizations, and communities are urged to examine and address the various structural barriers hindering gender equality. Without concerted efforts to dismantle these obstacles, progress toward parity and safety for girls and women is likely to remain slow, and the desire among women to bring children into such conditions may continue to wane.