I was taken aback when I read about Bangladesh’s latest act of child marriage. So, it all comes down to the same old questions.

Why are we still holding on the stereotypes? Why is equality such a big deal? What’s stopping us from liberating our children to have an education and a life they can live on their own terms?

On February 17, 2017, the Bangladesh Government introduced a law that permits young girls, below the age of 18, to get married in ‘special cases.’ The law doesn’t define the ‘special cases,’ which makes it open to interpretation.

The Girls Not Brides group has come forward in opposition of this law. They have published a post saying, “In February 2017, Parliament adopted the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 despite widespread concerns over a special provision allowing child marriage in “special cases.” The act does not define what those “special cases” might be. There are fears that such a provision will legitimize statutory rape and encourage child marriage. The act awaits Presidential assent or approval to become law.”

Despite Bangladesh Government developing action points to eliminate child marriage, they have now come up with a contrary law, marking zero as the minimum age of marriage. At present, Bangladesh ranks as the top country to have most child marriages where girls get married before the age of 18.

Girls Not Brides have also said, “The need to protect the ‘honor’ of girls who have become pregnant was widely cited by the Bangladesh Government as the reason for this provision. However, marriage is not the best way to protect adolescent girls and exposes them to greater harm.”

When in force, this law will not only harm the women in the county but will also have various other adverse effects. Edouard Beigbeder, the agency’s representative for Bangladesh, has highlighted these effects as, increased maternal mortality rates, birth complications, chances of domestic violence and diminishing of the possibilities for girls’ to stay in education by forcing them into a life of servitude and dependence.

“Nothing can change the fact that this is a destructive law,” said Heather Barr, a senior researcher on women’s rights. “But carefully drafted regulations can mitigate some of the harm to girls.”

Meher Afroze Chumki, the minister for women and children’s affairs, Bangladesh, has said officials would confirm the exact details of what would constitute “special provisions.”

“We will increase the jail time for anyone found violating or abusing this law and also suspend any marriage officiator convicted of conducting illegal child marriages,” she added, according to the Dhaka Tribune.