The students of University of Central Punjab advocate against child marriage and gender-based discrimination
LAHORE: Child marriages in developing countries remain pervasive. The children are forced into the institution of marriage without knowing the real meaning of marriage and its significance.
A child marriage is one in which the girl is often below the age of 18 while the boy is below the age of 21 or much older that the girl. What is worse is that the problem of child marriage is at times justified on the basis of religion.
The only way we could curb the menace is to educate our children about their rights from an early age so that they can speak up for themselves. On the other hand, the media also needs to adopt a more proactive role in generating awareness about this heinous ritual.
Every step matters and we, the students of University of Central Punjab, took an initiative and organised a National Youth Peace Summits in Pakistan to involve youth in the decision-making process. This also advocated against child marriage and gender-based discrimination. We need to unite to save our children.
Nadia Talat
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2018.
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