CONTRIBUTION of women in socio-economic-political arena is of utmost priority. Ideally women hold same prowess as that of men, to mend the society for better future. However persistent issue of child marriages in Pakistan has long posed a significant challenge to societal development and its human rights track records. Recently, Pakistan-based women’s rights group Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA), in collaboration with the District Population Welfare Office in Rawalpindi, organized a workshop to address this pressing concern. The primary agenda of the workshop revolved around promoting sexual and reproductive health rights and creating actionable strategies to combat underage marriages.
This initiative highlights a critical aspect of social reform—ensuring the legal and cultural alignment of marriage laws to safeguard the rights of young girls. In Pakistan, the legal framework regarding child marriage is fraught with inconsistencies. While the Constitution of Pakistan recognizes a minor as anyone under the age of 18, the laws governing marriage set conflicting age thresholds. According to the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929, the legal age of marriage is 18 for males but only 16 for females in most provinces. Sindh stands out as an exception, having raised the legal age for marriage to 18 for both genders under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2013. However, the lack of uniformity in laws across provinces leaves young girls vulnerable to early and often forced marriages. This discrepancy undermines efforts to protect the rights of minors and perpetuates harmful practices rooted in cultural and societal norms. The workshop organized by PODA and the District Population Welfare Office highlighted the urgent need to address these legal inconsistencies and align the minimum age of marriage for girls with the age of majority defined in their national identity cards (NIC). One of the key recommendations from the workshop was to link the minimum age of marriage to the issuance of national identity cards. In Pakistan, citizens receive their NICs at the age of 18, which serves as a formal recognition of adulthood. By making the possession of an NIC a prerequisite for marriage, the government can enforce a uniform age threshold of 18 years, thereby eliminating ambiguities in the law.
This approach has several advantages. First, it provides a clear and enforceable mechanism to prevent underage marriages. Second, it strengthens the role of the state in upholding the rights of minors. Lastly, it aligns Pakistan’s legal framework with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Pakistan is a signatory. Child marriages have far-reaching consequences for young girls, their families, and society at large. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are often deprived of their right to education, limiting their economic opportunities and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Early marriages also pose significant health risks, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which are leading causes of mortality among adolescent girls. The societal acceptance of child marriages further normalizes gender inequality, hindering progress toward a more equitable society. One of the biggest hurdles in combating child marriages in Pakistan is the deeply entrenched cultural and religious beliefs that perpetuate the practice. Many communities view early marriage as a way to secure a girl’s future and uphold family honour. Religious misinterpretations also play a role in justifying child marriages, despite the fact that Islamic principles emphasize the importance of consent, maturity and the well-being of both spouses.
All stakeholders, including health professionals, religious scholars, lawyers, academics, media representatives and government officials from various departments including education, health, population welfare, women’s development and local government, present at the workshop emphasized the need for awareness campaigns to challenge these misconceptions. They said religious scholars, community leaders and educators must be engaged to disseminate accurate information and advocate for the rights of young girls and by fostering a cultural shift, it is possible to create an environment where delaying marriage is seen as beneficial rather than detrimental.
According to experts, to effectively combat child marriages, Pakistan must strengthen its institutional mechanisms at both the national and local levels. This includes: Law enforcement: Ensuring strict implementation of existing laws and penalizing those who facilitate underage marriages. Education: Expanding access to quality education for girls, which is a proven deterrent to early marriages. Health services: Providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education to empower young people to make informed decisions. Data collection: Establishing robust systems to monitor and report cases of child marriage, enabling targeted interventions. The role of civil society organizations like PODA is crucial in complementing government efforts. These organizations can serve as a bridge between policymakers and communities, ensuring that initiatives are both effective and culturally sensitive. The workshop organized by PODA and the District Population Welfare Office marks a significant step in the fight against child marriages in Pakistan.
However, sustained efforts are needed to translate these discussions into tangible outcomes. Key priorities include: Legislative reform: Amending national and provincial laws to set a uniform legal age of marriage at 18 for both genders. Public awareness: Launching nationwide campaigns to educate communities about the harms of child marriages and the importance of girls’ education and empowerment. Stakeholder engagement: Building coalitions with religious leaders, educators, healthcare providers and local governments to address the root causes of child marriages. Child marriage is a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address. By aligning legal frameworks, challenging societal norms and empowering young girls, Pakistan could pave the way for a future free from the scourge of underage marriages.
—The writer is Educator at SELD, Sindh.
