Gold wedding jewelry is laid out for 15 year old Nasoin Akhter on the day of her wedding to a 32 year old man, August 20, 2015 in Manikganj, Bangladesh. In June of this year, Human Rights Watch released a damning report about child marriage in Bangladesh. The country has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with 29% of girls marrying before the age of 15, and 65% of girls marrying before they turn 18. The detrimental effects of early marriage on a girl cannot be overstated. Most young brides drop out of school. Pregnant girls from 15-20 are twice as likely to die in childbirth than those 20 or older, while girls under 15 are at five times the risk. Research cites spousal age difference as a significant risk factor for violence and sexual abuse. Child marriage is attributed to both cultural tradition and poverty. Parents believe that it “protects” girls from sexual assault and harassment. Larger dowries are not required for young girls, and economically, women's earnings are insignificant as compared to men's. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, sits with relatives while posing for photos on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man on August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, poses for a video on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, poses for a photo at a beauty parlour on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man on August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, stands in the doorway of a neighbors home on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man on August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Mohammad Hasamur Rahman, 32, poses for photographs with his new bride, 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, is consoled by a friend on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Mohammad Hasamur Rahman, 32, arrives to his wedding venue on the day that he will marry 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter on August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Mohammad Hasamur Rahman, 32, stands on a bed above his new bride, 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, has her makeup done at a beauty parlor on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, has her wedding sari wrapped at a beauty parlor on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, is led by relatives to a car that will take her to her new home on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, is bathed on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Wedding guests dance and celebrate on the day of the wedding of 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Nasoin Akhter, 15, is bathed on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man, August 20, 2015, in Manikganj, Bangladesh. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)