Underage: Consultation session on child marriage bill to minimise conflict

Activists say initiative made to avoid issues from being raised in assembly

PESHAWAR: A consultation meeting was held to reduce conflict among stakeholders on the child marriage bill before it is presented in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

“It has been seen that when bills are presented in the provincial assembly for endorsement without any prior consultation, they often face criticism and backlash,” Alliance to End Early, Forced and Child Marriages Coordinator Qamar Naseem told journalists at the event organised by Blue Veins at the K-P Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The lack of consensus [on drafts] is often a result of political conflicts and differences between alliances and private organisations; therefore this initiative is meant to clear such issues.”

Naseem added the meeting would also contribute in raising a collective voice on the issue and it is a chance to work on the flaws within the draft. “The fact that the bill is poorly drafted shows the government’s lack of commitment to deal with the issue.”

Fighting a menace

Also present on the occasion, Human Rights Directorate Director Noor Zaman Khattak said fighting child marriage is the collective responsibility of the government and society. “We must work together to empower young people to lead community dialogues and support programmes that address the issue of child marriage, and help married girls.”

He added steps should be taken to ensure all girls have access to education and other opportunities.

Educating men

Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network Coordinator Taimur Kamal said, “It is unfortunate most of the violence girls are subjected to is done in the name of religion.” He believed time has proven that in patriarchal societies, educating women without educating men makes women vulnerable. “Local prayer leaders can also play a vital role in changing the mindset of people at the grass-roots level.”

The coordinator of the Child Rights Movement, Zar Ali Khan, echoed Kamal’s point of view. Zar said attitudes and behaviour of men can be changed by involving imams.

Using the youth

Barrister Hashim Raza, who was also present, said child marriage was a significant problem. However, he said young people should be supported to become agents of change. “We must work with the youth so they can directly benefit their peers.”

Committees from Charsadda and Mardan were also present and it was anticipated the platform will serve to represent voices from all segments of society.

Subsequent recommendations will be shared with the Provincial Commission on Status of Women, Child Protection and Welfare Commission, Human Rights Directorate and the legislators of K-P.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2015.