Child Marriage in Pakistan

Kaneez Fatima Magsi
Child marriage is still very common in Pakistan and is deeply ingrained in tradition, culture, and customs practises. Yet it constitutes a grave breach of the human rights of girls. One in three girls in Pakistan get married before becoming 18 years old (Demographic and Health Survey 2012-13). Girls lose their childhood and future opportunities when they marry as children. Girls who marry are less likely to complete their education and are more vulnerable to abuse, domestic violence, and health problems. The number of domestic abuse instances reported in young girls between the ages of 15 and 19 was highest (24.3% in the last year). Additionally, child marriage puts girls at risk for risky pregnancies, fistula, STDs, or even death. Additionally, teenage girls are more likely than adult women to pass away from problems during childbirth. Child marriage is forbidden by international treaties including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Countries were urged to stop child marriage during the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Reasons for child marriage It is essential to comprehend the intricate causes of child marriage if we are to put a stop to it. Most at risk are girls who reside in rural or distant locations, have little or no education, or belong to the lowest wealth quintile. Due to their financial plight or in an effort to preserve the honour of the family, many parents or guardians may arrange for the marriage of their daughters. Social and gender disparities make the problem worse. Everyone must come together to make sure that girls have access to education, health information, services, and life-skills education in order to end child marriage. UNFPA appeals to authorities to stop child marriage by arguing in favour of legislation that would change the marriage age from 16 to 18 for all men and women without exception by modifying initiatives based on research in regions where child marriage is prevalentputting in place assistance programmes for vulnerable or already child-married girls. Increasing the options for supported education available to girls. Improve the financial prospects for girls and their families by providing career opportunities and assistance Inform and raise awareness in communities about the negative effects of underage marriage on females. Girls who continue their education are encouraged by their. Adolescent girls and young people in Pakistan have their human rights promoted and protected by UNFPA via collaboration with a wide range of partners at all levels. Improved legislation, gathering data for more advocacy, creating programmes that encourage young women and girls’ empowerment, and assuring access to sexual and reproductive health information and services at various locations are all ways to do this. In order to ensure that young women and girls in child marriages have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services at neighbourhood adolescent counselling centres and health facilities, UNFPA supports young women and girls. In government-run adolescent counselling centres, survivors of child marriage are also given comprehensive mental health services and help for stress management.