It should be happiest day of her life, but 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter couldn't look more miserable.
For the teenager isn't getting ready for a birthday party or another big celebration – she is being forced into marriage to a 32-year-old man.
As these images show, the Bangladeshi schoolgirl appears forlorn and, at times, even scared as she gets ready for the ceremony in Manikganj, near the capital Dhaka.
Sadly, Nasoin is by no means alone in a country which has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world.
Forlorn: Teenager Nasoin Akhter is bathed by family members on the day of her wedding to a 32-year-old man in Bangladesh which has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world
Sad: Nasoin Akhter is washed by relatives before her wedding to a 32-year-old man at the age of just 15
Apprehensive: Nasoin Akhter stands in the doorway of a neighbour's home as she gets ready for her wedding
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| Nervous: Nasoin Akhter looks out of a dressing room at a beauty parlour on the day of her wedding. In Bangladesh, 29 per cent of girls marry before the age of 15 and 65 per cent wed before they turn 18
Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch released a damning report that revealed how 29 per cent of girls are married before the age of 15 and 65 per cent by the time they turn 18.
The detrimental effects of early marriage on a girl can be extremely damaging.
 Detailed: Nasoin has her make up done at a beauty parlour before her wedding in Manikganj, Bangladesh |
Reluctant: Relatives help wrap Nasoin's wedding sari at a beauty parlour on the day of her wedding
A life of oppression: The detrimental effects of early marriage cannot be overstated. Pregnant girls from aged 15 to 20 are twice as likely to die in childbirth than those 20 or older
The age difference between spouses can also a significant risk factor for violence and sexual abuse.
Cultural tradition and poverty are the main reasons for child marriages.
Larger dowries are not required for young girls and, economically, women's earnings are insignificant as compared to men's.
Parents also believe that it protects girls from sexual assault and harassment.
Scared: A relative tries to drag Nasoin on to a bed to pose for photographs on the day of her wedding
Miserable: Nasoin poses for a video but couldn't look any less enthusiastic about forthcoming nuptials
Just two weeks ago, a young Bangladeshi woman suffered horrific burns after she was allegedly forced to swallow acid because her father could not afford to pay her dowry.
Ripa Rani Pandit has been left with permanent facial scars and horrific internal injuries after being tortured with the burning liquid as part of an alleged eight-month campaign of abuse.
Her family claim that she was attacked by her in-laws because her parents could not cobble together the dowry which had been agreed prior to her marriage to Ratan Pandit.
They say the 23-year-old has been subjected to constant abuse since the pair were married in December.
Cowering: New husband, 32-year-old Mohammad Hasamur Rahman stands on a bed above his new wife. Research found that age difference is a significant risk factor for violence and sexual abuse in marriage
Cold: Mohammad Hasamur Rahman poses for photographs with his new bride in Manikganj, Bangladesh
Arranged: Parents believe child marriage protects girls from sexual assault and harassment
Since the turn of the century, there have been more than 3,000 acid attacks in the country.
According to the Acid Survivors Foundation in Bangladesh, almost all the attacks have been on women or girls while many of the victims are under 18.
The main reason for the violence is dowries, refusal of love proposals, or land disputes.
Nasoin is led by relatives to a car that will take her to her new home after her wedding to a 32-year-old man
Wedding guests celebrate after the wedding of 15-year-old Nasoin Akhter and Mohammad Hasamur Rahman
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