Child marriage, also known as early marriage or underage marriage, is a hazardous issue in Pakistan. Despite efforts to curb the practice, child marriage remains prevalent in many parts of the country. Child marriage is defined as the marriage of a girl who marries before the age of 16, and if a boy marries before the age of 18, it is also considered child marriage according to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. In Pakistan, this issue is rapidly increasing, destroying the lives of children at an age meant for education and recreation, as they are burdened with the responsibilities of marriage. According to UNICEF statistics of 2019, 1.2 percent of women in Pakistan married before the age of 18, and 2.5 percent married before the age of 15.
Additionally, children suffer from various mental and physical illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and complications from early pregnancies. According to statistics, 93 percent of women in child marriages commit suicide when they see no hope for a better future. There are many causes of child marriage, including the lack of enforcement of child marriage laws, a male-dominated society where decisions are made in patriarchal families, and poverty. Although there is the possibility of an UN convention on child marriage to protect the rights of children, and national laws such as the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, as well as Shari’a laws related to child marriage, the issue continues to be a major problem in Pakistan, steadily growing.
It is a complex issue, but by working together, we can help prevent child marriage and ensure that children, especially females in Pakistan, have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Therefore, it is humbly requested that both parents and the government raise awareness about the causes of child marriage so that parents may avoid it, and the government must enforce the implementation of child marriage laws.
Sameena Dil Murad
JUNZ GRAMMAR ACADEMY ASKANI
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