Insight Into Child Marriages In Pakistan

Out of the many things we need to condemn, child marriage is definitely amongst the top. One of our followers, Wajiha Haider, wrote an article explaining child marriages in Pakistan. Scroll down to read what factors influence child marriages and what measures our government has taken to reduce them:

Pakistan continues to remain an unsafe place for women and girls, a place where they remain unequal under laws that fail to address basic issues. Pakistan has instead become a place where the culprits who practice violence against women and girls flourish in indemnity, and where the judiciary remains ignorant. 

One such case was highlighted in Karachi where a 14-year-old catholic girl Huma Younus was abducted from her home by Abdul Jabbar of Dera Ghazi Khan. After which Huma’s parents received a message from Abdul Jabbar saying that their daughter willingly married Abdul Jabbar and converted to Islam. Huma’s parents went to the court but were told that Huma’s marriage with the alleged abductor, Abdul Jabbar, would be valid since she already had her first menstrual cycle. This statement was made under the light of Shariah law which completely ignored the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013.

Not just Huma, there have been a number of girls like her who have been subjected to abduction, forced conversion, forced marriage, child marriage, rape and sexual abuse, forced servitude, forced labor, and much more. But the legal authorities keep ignoring these violations. Many young Hindu and Christian girls have been a victim to these abductions, conversions and forced marriages, but nothing is being done to stop this shameful act. 

According to UNICEF, Pakistan has been ranked sixth in line for having the highest ratio of absolute child brides. Abstracted from the data provided, there are around 21% of juvenile girls who get married before the age of 18 and 3% by the age of 15. 

Imagine the absurd circumstances of child marriages. Marriage before the age of 18 is an absolute violation of human rights as it compromises the life of a girl (the rate of child marriages among girls are higher compared to boys). This so called ‘common practice’ can result in an early pregnancy hence putting a burden on the girl of being socially isolated, having limited career opportunities, as well as vocational development. Binding a woman before their puberty on the other hand comes with complications during their pregnancy and childbirth.

Factors That Lead To Child Marriages

There are factors that can influence a child getting married before the age of 18 such as protection, family honour and dilemma of social norms. Some of the drivers of these marriages are are: 

• Customary/or traditional laws: Swara or Vani, is a custom found in many parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In such customs minor girls are treated as a means of servitude, to resolve any debt related issues sanctioned by the elder council of a particular community. These practices are common in rural areas of Pakistan. 
• Patriarchal norms: These norms are entrenched by the gender norms that consider the girl who gets married late as marked with deviation or shame. People with this type of mindset try to get their daughters married before they even reach puberty.
• Addo Baddo: Another custom practiced in many parts of Balochistan. In this particular custom, families agree to marry their daughter with the son of some other tribe or with their first cousin when they are children.
• Paitlikkhi: This is a custom in ancestral and provincial regions of the nation under which two families consent to wed their youngsters before they are even conceived, or are still exceptionally youthful.
• Religion: Often the girls are subject to child marriages because of the fear that they might get involved in premarital sex relation and bring dishonour to their families. However, that fear should also be implied on the boys.

Efforts By The Government To Discourage The Practice

In 2019 a bill was passed by Pakistani senator involving Sherry Rehman, to counter the practice of child marriages and safeguard the human rights of the girls. It was mentioned in the bill that the legal age of the girl to get married according to the law would be 18 or more. suggesting amendments to the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 as in Pakistan, the current legal age for girls is 16 and for boys it is 18. This is considered as the first step taken by the government to support the end of child marriages, or at least reduce the deeply rooted customary and traditional practices of child marriages in Pakistan. But, there is still a long way to go. The contravention of this law will allow the opposer to be punishable with a fine of a mere Rs.1000 and imprisonment for only a month.

This particular bill has also been opposed by several different Islamic parties in the country such as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). It was claimed by the parties that the bill was against Islam; in defence of the bill, Senator Rehman said that countries like Oman, UAE, Turkey and other Islamic states has defined their legal marriage to be of 18 years. Clearly this shows the lack of social knowledge among the Islamic coalition. 

There is still so much work to be done and so much awareness to be raised regarding the issue. Let’s use our voice in every way we can!