Ensure health, education, basic rights to teenage girls not early marriages

MURREE: A teenage youth group led the World Population Day advocacy walk here on Sunday afternoon from the General Post Office (GPO) through the Mall Road. Participated by the thousands, the motivational walk was organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), Islamabad Devcom Centennial Leo Club (IDCLC), Islamabad Crescent Lions Club (ICLC), Islamabad City Lions Club, and Islamabad Leo Club to mark the World Population Day. Theme of the walk was ‘investing in teenage girls’. Senior politician Ex-MNA Hanif Abbasi also joined the walk as a special guest.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that 11 July be observed by the international community as World Population Day, a day to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. This year’s theme is ‘Investing in teenage girls.’

Speaking on the occasion, the Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said, “Our society and government should ensure health, education, nutritious food and basic human rights to the teenage girls than getting them married at the innocent age. The early marriages are creating health complications for the girls besides psychologically disturbing them for their entire life.

Pir Azmat said that Islam has all rights to the girl-children as well, we need to end decimation against girls. We need to give equal rights of education, health social grooming and career opportunities to all the girls.

Dr Masood Ghani, Civil Surgeon Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital said the marriages of teenage girls create many health issues that could not be recovered. Therefore, the parents should be vigilant in this regard and should not accept any social pressure.

Muhammad Hussain Turi said the teenage girls around the world face enormous challenges. Many are considered by their communities or parents to be ready for marriage and motherhood. Many are forced from school, damaging their future prospects.

Shaaref Munir, president Islamabad Devcom Centennial Leo Club, said all the Leo Clubs would develop an integrated awareness raising campaign against the teenage marriages of the girls.Health, education and human rights challenges are exacerbated among marginalised girls, such as members of ethnic minorities or those living in poverty or remote areas.