A Unified Front: Pakistan's Urgent Call to End Child Marriage by Standardizing Age at 18

In a powerful and unequivocal call to action, Pakistan's National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) is spearheading a critical campaign to standardize the minimum marriage age for girls at 18 across the entire nation. This isn't just about tweaking a number; it's about safeguarding the fundamental rights, health, and future of millions of young girls, unlocking their potential, and bringing Pakistan's legal framework in line with global human rights commitments.

The current landscape in Pakistan presents a stark and unacceptable disparity.

While the province of Sindh has commendably taken a progressive step by setting 18 as the minimum marriage age for girls, other provinces—Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—along with federal law, tragically still permit girls as young as 16 to be wed. This legal inconsistency creates a dangerous loophole, leaving countless young girls vulnerable to the devastating consequences of child marriage.

The ramifications of child marriage are profound and far-reaching, trapping girls in a cycle of disempowerment.

Brides who are barely out of childhood face severe health risks, including complications from early pregnancies, increased maternal and infant mortality rates, and heightened vulnerability to various diseases. Their education is abruptly cut short, denying them opportunities for personal growth and economic independence.

This premature entry into marital and domestic responsibilities strips them of their childhood, their dreams, and their right to choose their own path.

The NCSW chairperson, Nilofar Bakhtiar, has passionately articulated that child marriage is not merely a social ill but a direct violation of fundamental human rights enshrined within Pakistan's own Constitution.

Articles 9 (security of person), 25-A (right to education), and 37(e) (promotion of social and economic well-being) are all undermined when a child is forced into marriage. This practice also disproportionately affects girls, perpetuating gender inequality and injustice.

Furthermore, Pakistan is a signatory to crucial international conventions that explicitly condemn child marriage.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) both mandate the protection of children and women from such harmful practices. The nation's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5.3 which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices against women and girls, including child, early, and forced marriage, adds another layer of urgency and moral imperative to this reform.

The path forward is clear: legislative harmonization is not just a recommendation, but a necessity.

The NCSW urges federal and provincial governments to demonstrate unwavering political will and adopt the progressive standards set by Sindh's Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2013, across the entire country. This unified legal front would send a powerful message that Pakistan is unequivocally committed to protecting its youngest citizens and investing in their future.

Standardizing the minimum marriage age at 18 is a pivotal step towards building a more equitable, healthy, and educated society.

It empowers girls to complete their education, pursue their aspirations, and make informed choices about their lives, rather than being relegated to domestic roles prematurely. It's a testament to a nation that values its children and is dedicated to ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive. The time for change is now; the future of Pakistan's girls depends on it.