Future for our girls

After years of delay and resistance, there is finally a glimmer of hope for young girls in Pakistan. Last week, the National Assembly passed a long-overdue bill aimed at curbing child marriage, one of the country’s most deeply rooted and damaging practices. On Monday, the Senate followed suit, passing the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Sherry Rehman. The bill imposes substantial penalties on those facilitating or engaging in child marriages. But as history shows, passing laws is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in implementing them in both letter and spirit. Senator Rehman, who has persistently pushed for this legislation since 2018, rightly noted that this is not the first time the Senate has passed such a bill. Until now, the National Assembly had stalled its progress multiple times, indicative of the broader resistance within society to confronting harmful traditions. Despite the existence of older laws like the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929 and relevant sections in the penal code, the practice of marrying off girls too young remains alarmingly common. In fact, Pakistan is responsible for a staggering 28 per cent of global child marriages.

The persistence of this practice reflects a deeply entrenched cultural mindset. In many communities, girls are seen primarily as future wives and mothers rather than individuals with their own potential. Lawmakers who attempt to challenge these views are often met with backlash that can turn deadly. Beyond ideology and religion, fear also plays a role. In a country where women often cannot travel, live or work freely, parents believe that marriage offers their daughters a semblance of safety. Many fear that girls who pursue education or careers will later reject traditional marriage altogether.

If we are to truly eradicate child marriage, then we must go beyond legislation. Cultural transformation is essential. We must redefine what it means to raise a girl in Pakistan. The focus should shift from preparing girls for marriage to empowering them with education, skills and financial independence. For girls from lower-income families, who are disproportionately vulnerable to early marriage, targeted aid programmes can make a real difference. When a girl has a Plan B, she can confidently resist societal pressures. This new bill is a step in the right direction, but it cannot stand alone. The federal government must work with provincial authorities to ensure nationwide alignment. Civil society, educators and the media must play their part in changing public attitudes. We must tell our daughters that they are more than brides-in-waiting. Their dreams matter. Their education matters. Their contribution to our society matters.