Ending child marriage should be a reality
Childs Not Brides moot held earlier this year in Malaysia
Representational image. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Ending child marriage should be a reality, not just a commitment was the consensus of speakers at a national session of civil society organisations held to discuss the future implications of Childs Not Brides moot held earlier this year in Malaysia.
When a young girl becomes a bride, the consequences are life-long – for the girl, for her children, and for her nation, they said.
Education ‘is basic right of every child’
It is estimated that 21% of girls in Pakistan are married before the age of 18. Child marriage in Pakistan relates to tradition, culture, and customary practices, to address this issue.
In June 2018, Girls Not Brides (Global Alliance to End Child Marriages) brought together the world’s leading advocates to end child marriage in Malaysia to connect, learn, inspire and align in the efforts to end child marriages.
In a reflection of the second Girls Not Brides Global Meeting a session was organised in Islamabad by the civil society organisations to share the lessons and good practices from across the globe.
Blue Veins Programme Coordinator and National Coordination Group (NACG) Co-Chair Qamar Naseem stated: “The United Nations estimates that one in three women aged twenty to twenty-four —almost 70 million women totals are married under the age of 18.” He added that “Approximately 23 million were married under the age of 15, and some were married as young as eight or nine years old. The implications are dire: child marriage is linked to poor health, curtailed education, violence, and lawlessness, all of which threatens international development, prosperity, and stability which are why this problem needs to be addressed head on.”
NACG Co-chair Valerie Khan stated: “If child marriage ended right now, millions of girls around the world would be able to make decisions about their own futures and lead more productive lives.”
Child sexual abuse cases surge in 2018: report
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Zubair Abid said: “Religious leaders have a huge role to play in ending early, child and forced marriage since many people around the world are guided by their religious beliefs.”
Member of the Provincial Assembly Syeda Farah Aazmi said: “Parliaments are responsible for legislation and policy oversight which makes them crucial in ending child marriage at all levels.”
Bedaari Executive Director Anbreen Ajaib said: “Working with religious leaders to tackle the scourge of child marriage has proven especially effective.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2018.
Ending child marriage should be a reality, not just a commitment was the consensus of speakers at a national session of civil society organisations held to discuss the future implications of Childs Not Brides moot held earlier this year in Malaysia.
When a young girl becomes a bride, the consequences are life-long – for the girl, for her children, and for her nation, they said.
Education ‘is basic right of every child’
It is estimated that 21% of girls in Pakistan are married before the age of 18. Child marriage in Pakistan relates to tradition, culture, and customary practices, to address this issue.
In June 2018, Girls Not Brides (Global Alliance to End Child Marriages) brought together the world’s leading advocates to end child marriage in Malaysia to connect, learn, inspire and align in the efforts to end child marriages.
In a reflection of the second Girls Not Brides Global Meeting a session was organised in Islamabad by the civil society organisations to share the lessons and good practices from across the globe.
Blue Veins Programme Coordinator and National Coordination Group (NACG) Co-Chair Qamar Naseem stated: “The United Nations estimates that one in three women aged twenty to twenty-four —almost 70 million women totals are married under the age of 18.” He added that “Approximately 23 million were married under the age of 15, and some were married as young as eight or nine years old. The implications are dire: child marriage is linked to poor health, curtailed education, violence, and lawlessness, all of which threatens international development, prosperity, and stability which are why this problem needs to be addressed head on.”
NACG Co-chair Valerie Khan stated: “If child marriage ended right now, millions of girls around the world would be able to make decisions about their own futures and lead more productive lives.”
Child sexual abuse cases surge in 2018: report
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Zubair Abid said: “Religious leaders have a huge role to play in ending early, child and forced marriage since many people around the world are guided by their religious beliefs.”
Member of the Provincial Assembly Syeda Farah Aazmi said: “Parliaments are responsible for legislation and policy oversight which makes them crucial in ending child marriage at all levels.”
Bedaari Executive Director Anbreen Ajaib said: “Working with religious leaders to tackle the scourge of child marriage has proven especially effective.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2018.