By Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Sindh Provincial Assembly in
Pakistan passed the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill in 2018. The bill
amended the existing Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2013, which
prohibits marriages of individuals under the age of 18. The amendment increased
the punishment for those found guilty of solemnizing child marriages, including
religious leaders and parents, from three years to five years in prison, and
imposed a fine of up to one million Pakistani rupees. The passage of the bill
was a positive step towards ending child marriage in Sindh and protecting the
rights of children. However, as I mentioned earlier, enforcement of laws
remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas where traditional practices
are deeply ingrained. To effectively address child marriage in Pakistan,
including in Sindh, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach that
involves not only legal and policy measures but also social and cultural
change, as well as support for girls and their families. This includes
addressing the underlying causes of child marriage, such as poverty, lack of
education, and gender inequality, and promoting girls' education and economic
empowerment. Child marriage is a serious issue in the province of Sindh in
Pakistan. According to UNICEF, 21% of girls in Pakistan are married before the
age of 18, with the highest prevalence in rural areas, and Sindh is among the
worst-affected provinces. Child marriage in Sindh is driven by a number of
factors, including poverty, gender inequality, and cultural and traditional
practices. In some cases, families marry off their daughters at a young age
because they cannot afford to support them, while in other cases, they may do
so to protect their honor or secure their daughters' futures. Child marriage
has a number of negative consequences for girls in Sindh. They are often forced
to drop out of school and are denied access to healthcare and other basic
services. They are also at a higher risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse,
and other forms of exploitation. The
government of Sindh has taken some steps to address child marriage, including
passing laws that prohibit the practice and launching awareness campaigns.
However, enforcement of these laws remains a challenge, particularly in rural
areas where traditional practices are deeply ingrained. To effectively address
child marriage in Sindh, it is necessary to address the underlying causes of
the practice, including poverty, gender inequality, and lack of access to
education and economic opportunities. This requires a comprehensive approach
that involves not only legal and policy measures but also social and cultural
change, as well as support for girls and their families. Child marriages are a
violation of children's rights. Child marriage is a practice where a child,
usually a girl, is married off to an adult, often against their will or without
their informed consent. This practice is common in many parts of the world,
particularly in developing countries, and is often driven by poverty, cultural
or religious beliefs, and gender inequality. Child marriage violates a number
of children's rights, including the right to education, health, and protection
from violence and exploitation. Child brides are often forced to drop out of
school and are denied access to healthcare and other basic services. They are
also at a higher risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other forms of
exploitation. Child marriage also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and
inequality, as child brides are often unable to complete their education and
are more likely to be financially dependent on their husbands. This can have
long-term negative consequences for their health, wellbeing, and economic
prospects. In many countries, there are laws that prohibit child marriage, but
enforcement can be difficult. It is important to raise awareness of the harms
of child marriage and to work towards strengthening legal protections and
promoting gender equality, education, and economic opportunities for girls. By
doing so, we can help to protect children's rights and promote their well-being.
0 Comments