Early marriage issue more dangerous than terrorism

Islamabad: Speakers at a seminar here on Wednesday urged the government to address the issue of early marriages on priority basis warning it is dangerous than terrorism and is related to future of Pakistan.

The experts, policymakers and legislators said the early marriages created multiple problems including social, cultural and required more expenditure over provision of health facilities. They said the trend of malnutrition among 15-19-year-old in Pakistan could lead to the weak generations if child marriage was not eradicated in the country.

Regretting that there are no proper laws to discourage the early marriages and if some laws in this regard exist not implemented, the speakers asked the government to make the age of marriage at least 18 years for girls.

Dr Najma Afzal Khan, MPA (PML-N) from Punjab, said infant mortality among girls marriedbefore 20 was 116 per 1000 births and reduces to 75 per 1000 births for women after 20. She shared national statistics on maternal mortality among girls married between 15-19 years of age and shed light on restricted access of girls and women to health services.

Anbreen Ajaib, a social activist and Executive Director of Bedari, shed light on the impact of child marriage on education attainment; drop out as well as transition

rate from primary to secondary, which ultimately translates to only 22 per cent girls participating in work force as adults and work force participation.

She claimed that early marriages discouraged contribution of women earning and also in economic development of the country. Maulana Mohammad Sharif Hazarvi, a renowned religious scholar, shared the importance of a family unit in the light of Islam and Sunnah and called for the building of the capacity of a girl and boy to manage the household along with physical maturity.

He said keeping in view the situation in Pakistan, state could legislate on the age of marriage. Waqar Aslam Bhatti, a senior journalist from Sindh and a member of the monitoring committee on implementation of Sindh Child Marriage Act, shared stories from the field and shared the drivers of child marriage in Pakistan as well as the role journalists need to play ion highlighting the said issue.

Rahila Khadim Hussain, MPA (PML-N), Punjab, shed light of the legislative proposal tabled in Punjab Assembly. She said increase in age of marriage for girl was the key amendment presented, which was currently with Minister of law for review.

Qamar Nasim, human rights activist, highlighted the Child Marriage Restraint Act (Amendment) and shared that the said bill was not allowed to be presented in the provincial assembly as it was considered un-Islamic as per the rulings of Council of Islamic Ideology and by other religio-political parties in the assembly.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Rubina Qaimkhani, Sindh MPA (PPP), said the salient features of the current legislation on child marriage in Sindh and expounded upon the impediments faced while debating the legislation. Sindh was the only province where a government bill on child marriage was presented and enacted increasing the age of the girl from 16 to 18 years.

She said the party believes in upholding the rights of women and children. She also highlighted the need of comprehensive and holistic legislation on different issues pertaining to child rights.

Dr. Atif Ikram Butt, Executive Director, Center for Communication Programs Pakistan, said the child marriage was an issue of Pakistan and it adversely impacted on girls, future generations and economy. He appreciated the efforts of civil society including religious scholars and journalists as well as policymakers in highlighting the issue.