PCSW concerned over Senate decision

Amendment could have had a far-reaching impact in countering child marriage, says PCSW chairperson

LAHORE: The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) has expressed its concern over Senate’s decision of rejecting the passage of an amendment to the Child Marriage Act 1929 aimed at increasing age of marriage for girls to 18 years.

“This rejection may encourage the regressive mindset that continues to plague the cause of ending violence against Women and Girls in the country," said PCSW Chairperson Fauzia Viqar. She said that violence against women prevails in many forms in Pakistan, and cannot be countered at the grassroots if those, who are in decision-making positions, are not willing to enact laws to support right of girls to live lives free of violence, including child marriages.



This amendment could have had a far-reaching impact in countering the widespread practice of child marriage, also challenging patriarchal mind sets that legitimise draconian practices such as early marriages.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2017.