Child marriage in Bangladesh

In June of this year, Human Rights Watch released a horrific report on child marriages in Bangladesh. 29% of girls in this country are married before the age of 15, and 65% before the age of 18. Most young brides drop out of school. Pregnant girls aged 15-20 are twice as likely to die in childbirth than girls over 20, and girls under 15 are five times more likely. The report refers to frequent cases of domestic violence, including sexual violence.

Child marriage is explained both by tradition and poverty. Parents believe that marriage will "protect" their daughter from sexual abuse - but often the situation is exactly the opposite. Also, when the bride is a young girl, no dowry is required.

(Total 15 photos)

1. Gold jewelry 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter on her wedding day with a 32-year-old man, Manikganj, Bangladesh.

2. Nasoin with relatives.

3. Posing for a family video.

4. In a beauty salon.

5. Morning on the day of the wedding.

6. 32-year-old Mohammad Hasamur Rahman poses with his 15-year-old bride.

7. Nasoin is comforted by a friend.

8. The groom arrives at the wedding venue.

9. Groom and bride.

10.

11. The process of tying a wedding sari.

12. Relatives lead Nasoin to a car that will take her to her new home.

13.

14. Dancing at the wedding.

15.