CHILD MARRIAGES IN PAKISTAN

CHILD MARRIAGE MUST BE STOPPED

Child marriages were common in human history of the world. Princess Emilia of Saxony, who was the daughter of Duke Henry of Saxony and his wife Catherine of Mecklenburg, in 1533, at the age of 16 years, married George the Pious, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach and then 48 years old. Before modern history, child marriage was common everywhere in the world but with the advent of the 20^th century, immense decline has been observed around the globe. It is not worthy to mention that although the ratio of child marriages is declining across the world some countries in Africa and Asia still allow child marriages due to various reasons.

At first glance, it is pertinent to first find out what is meant by marriage in plain words. According to the UNICEF report of 2011 defines child marriage as a formal marriage or informal union of individuals before reaching the age of competency, which is normally 18 years.  In 2013 the first United Nations Human Rights Council resolution against child, early and forced marriages was adopted. It recognizes child marriage as a human rights violation and pledges to eliminate the practice as part of the UN post 2015 global development agenda. Child marriage is observed in almost every country in Africa and Asia except some. It is a reality for boys and girls both but girls are the most affected by the practice, most of whom are in poor socioeconomic situation.

It was claimed that the rate of marriage of eight to 13 years old girls exceeds 50% in the northwest regions of Pakistan. another custom in Pakistan, called vani, involves village elders solving family disputes or settling unpaid debts by marrying off girls. The average marriage age of swara girls is between five and nine. Similarly the custom of watta satta has been cited as a cause of child marriages in Pakistan. according to the population council, 35%  of all females in Pakistan become mothers before they reach the age of 18 and 67 percent have experienced pregnancy out of which 69 percent  have given birth before they reach the age of 19. Less than four percent married girls below the age of 19 had some say in choosing her spouse, over 80% were married to a near or distant relative.

Child marriage rates in Bangladesh are amongst the highest in the world. Every two out of three marriages  involve children. According to statistics from 2005 , 45 percent of women then between 25 percent and 29 percent had been married by the age of 15 in Bangladesh. According to the State of the World’s Children 2009, all women aged 20 to 24 were married before they were 18. The ministry of women and children’s affairs in making progress in increasing women’s education and employment opportunities. This combined with specific education about child marriage and cooperation with religious leaders is hoped to decrease child marriage.

In culmination it is submitted that child marriage is a reality and there is a need to enact laws that prohibit child marriages. This child marriage ratio is much higher in the subcontinent but even exists in Europe and the US. It is further said that child marriage is a violation of human rights in the advanced world. The constitution of Pakistan demands equality and promises no discrimination at all but child marriages happen in Pakistan every day, which shows that the social structure of Pakistan has not reached the point where it considers child marriages to be prohibited unions.