Daily Times

The problem of child marriages continues unabated in many developing countries. Our country is also not immune to this issue. It is one of the causes of many socio-economic problems plaguing Pakistan, such as overpopulation, increased maternal and child mortality rate, stunting and wasting. In order to tackle the issue, it is time to increase the minimum marriageable age up to 18 years throughout Pakistan for both genders, along with launching an awareness campaign in this regard.

People do not have adequate knowledge about the risks posed by early marriages. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a social gathering where I was questioned what early marriage is. This phenomenon intrigued me, and I came to the conclusion that indeed it is the inadequate understanding of the issue of early child marriages that is predominantly responsible for the issue of early child marriages.

Additionally, lack of proper employment opportunities has contributed in this regard. As the downtrodden sections of society are unable to afford education, health and other such facilities, they deem it necessary to get their offspring married as soon as possible, mostly before their 18th birthday. One of the reasons is that they are not able to look after their children or even to properly feed them, and the easy way out is to get their daughters married at an early age.

Early marriages are also the cause of many medical complications. Stunting and wasting are the most threatening of them. Due to child marriages, unplanned pregnancies are prevalent, and resultantly, the expectant mother as well as her child does not have an adequate intake of required nutrition. That leads to stunting and wasting amongst the children. As the first thousand days of newborn children are the most important, if they will not be provided with a nutritious diet, there is a danger that they may suffer stunting and wasting.

The existing laws pertaining to child marriages should be amended, and the minimum marriageable age for both the genders should be changed to 18 years

Increased maternal and child mortality rates are the other perils with regard to child medical complications arising out of marriages taking place before 18 years of age.

There is a need to curb the unchecked rise of child marriages throughout Pakistan. First and foremost, the existing laws pertaining to child marriages should be amended, and the minimum marriageable age for both the genders should be changed to 18 years. The Provincial Assembly of Sindh has introduced the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013, and fixed 18 years as marriageable age for boys as well as girls. As the 16 years of marriageable age is fixed in other provinces, this should be amended by following the footsteps of the Sindh Assembly. Such a move may face resistance from the orthodoxy; however; they should be convinced and taken on board in this direction.

Furthermore, the government and the civil society should take holistic steps for creating awareness against child marriages so that the public may know about the risks of early marriages.

It is time we realised the dangers of early child marriages and took comprehensive steps in this regard. Beginning from amending the existing laws and substituting 18 years as minimum marriageable age and raising awareness can be the game changers in eradication of the menace of early marriages. The role of ulemas is indispensable in this respect, and hence they should be motivated for playing their vital role.

If we do not realise this threat we are bound to cause more damage to individuals, families and to society at large. Thus, there is a need to check child marriages at the earliest.

The writer is a former member of parliament