MURREE, SEPT 14: /DNA/ – As part of the ongoing project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality,” supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad, an awareness session was held in Murree to advocate for the amendment of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2015 (Punjab). The proposed change calls for raising the minimum legal age of marriage for girls from 16 to 18 years.
Organized in collaboration with the Hill Fruit Research Sub-Station, Sunny Bank, Murree, the session was part of the second phase of the Avocado Festival. It brought together more than 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, all of whom unanimously supported the proposed legal amendment by raising their hands during the session. The discussion focused not only on legal reform but also on the broader protection of girls’ and women’s rights—particularly in disaster situations—and the urgent need to safeguard their legal identities during such crises.
Participants explored how recurring climate-related disasters, especially monsoon floods, have heightened the risks for girls in vulnerable communities. When identity documents such as national ID cards are lost or destroyed, access to essential services, protection, and legal safeguards is severely restricted. Under economic pressure and social insecurity, some families resort to marrying off young daughters, a practice that has led to the emergence of so-called “monsoon brides.” These are girls pushed into early marriage during or after flood disasters—a practice that undermines their rights to health, education, and personal development.
Project Manager Nabeela Aslam led the session and presented an overview of child marriage laws across Pakistan. She noted that while Sindh and the Islamabad Capital Territory have already legislated 18 as the minimum marriage age for both girls and boys—with strict penalties for violators including parents, family members, nikah khawans, and marriage registrars—Punjab still operates under a nearly century-old legal framework.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act, originally enacted in 1929, currently sets the minimum age of marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys. Ms. Aslam explained that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah played a pivotal role in shaping the original legislation. However, in light of recent advancements in child protection and a Lahore High Court ruling, urgent reform is now required. The court declared the age disparity unconstitutional and directed the Punjab government to align the law with national and international standards by setting 18 years as the minimum age for both girls and boys, verified through national identity cards.
Participants raised pressing concerns during the discussion, such as how a young, uneducated girl can realistically be expected to shoulder adult responsibilities in traditional family settings. The session emphasized that early and forced marriage is not merely a cultural tradition or a survival strategy in crises—it is a human rights violation that disproportionately impacts girls, particularly in disaster-affected and economically marginalized areas.
The session concluded with a collective commitment among participants to advocate for legislative reform and broader public education. There was unanimous agreement that safeguarding girls’ rights, particularly in times of crisis, must be a national priority. Raising the legal age of marriage to 18 is a vital step toward ending harmful practices and ensuring no girl is left behind—especially in the face of escalating climate-related challenges.
Local folk singer Ali Sher presented a moving song urging the audience to support girls’ education. His performance highlighted education as the foundation of personal empowerment for girls and a critical driver of development for both communities and the country as a whole.
