Assignment Name: Study on the Effectiveness of the Social Protection Program on Child Marriage Under the “Adolescent Health & Empowerment to Reduce Child Marriage” Project

Country: Bangladesh

Client Name: Save the Children

The “Study on the Effectiveness of Social Protection Program on Child Marriage” was conducted under the “Adolescent Health & Empowerment to Reduce Child Marriage” project, implemented by Save the Children in Bangladesh with support from Government of the Netherlands. The initiative aimed to assess the role of social protection programs in addressing child marriage—a critical issue in Bangladesh, which has one of the highest prevalence rates globally. The study explored the direct and indirect impacts of various social protection schemes on delaying child marriage and mitigating its consequences.

The study focused on understanding how programs like cash transfers, stipends, and other social safety nets influence household decision-making regarding child marriage. It also examined systemic challenges, such as governance failures in marriage and birth registration processes, and the role of entrenched socio-cultural norms in perpetuating the practice. The analysis was framed around identifying gaps in existing social protection programs and recommending reforms to enhance their effectiveness in addressing child marriage.

Key objectives included:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing social protection interventions in delaying child marriage.
• Exploring the intersection of poverty, gender norms, and access to education in influencing child marriage.
• Proposing actionable recommendations for reforming social protection programs to address root causes of child marriage and support gender equality.

This comprehensive study provided evidence-based insights to inform policy advocacy, improve program designs, and strengthen the overall impact of social protection schemes on reducing child marriage in Bangladesh.

DM WATCH team conducted the following activities:

Inception and Study Design:

• Conducted an extensive desk review of national and international literature on social protection programs and their linkage to child marriage.
• Designed the study framework, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the issue.
• Developed structured tools, including questionnaires for household surveys and interview guides for qualitative research.

Data Collection:

• Conducted a census-based quantitative survey covering all households with reported marriage events in the selected Union over the past year.
• Captured detailed data on household socio-economic conditions, marriage decision-making processes, and social protection program participation.
• Facilitated focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members to identify social norms and values influencing child marriage.
• Conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders such as local leaders, marriage registrars, and government representatives.
• Developed case studies to explore specific dimensions of child marriage and social protection interactions.

Governance and Policy Assessment:

• Assessed systemic weaknesses in birth and marriage registration processes, highlighting governance failures and their impact on child marriage.
• Evaluated the implementation and coverage of existing social safety nets, identifying gaps in addressing the vulnerabilities of marginalized groups.

Analysis and Synthesis:

• Analyzed quantitative data to identify patterns in child marriage incidence and its correlation with social protection participation.
• Synthesized qualitative findings to provide context to the quantitative results, focusing on socio-cultural drivers and systemic barriers.

Recommendations Development:

• Proposed reforms to existing social protection schemes, including increasing benefit amounts, enhancing targeting mechanisms, and integrating child marriage prevention into program designs.
• Recommended advocacy strategies to address governance issues in marriage and birth registration systems.
• Suggested comprehensive awareness campaigns to challenge socio-cultural norms and raise awareness of the consequences of child marriage.

Reporting and Dissemination:

• Prepared a detailed report summarizing findings, including statistical analyses, thematic insights, and policy recommendations.
• Conducted validation workshops with key stakeholders to refine recommendations and ensure alignment with policy objectives.
• Presented the final report to Save the Children and relevant government agencies to support advocacy and policy reform initiatives.

This study played a vital role in identifying systemic and programmatic changes needed to address child marriage effectively. It provided actionable insights for designing child-sensitive social protection programs and influencing policy decisions at the national level.