YAD appeals for ban on underage marriages

21 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18

QUETTA:

The leaders of the Youth Association for Development (YAD) on Sunday appealed to the government to ban underage marriages in the country and enact a law in this regard.

“21 per cent of girls are married off before the age of 18, 785 out of 100,000 women die due to underage marriage, and pregnant women under the age of 15 have a 5 per cent higher maternal mortality rate,” said YAD programme officer Bari Sheraniat during a press conference being held at Quetta Press Club.

He added that the trend of marrying girls under the age of 18 is very high in Balochistan. “Child marriage is one of the highest human rights violations in the country even though it is prohibited in the country under the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929.”

Sheraniat clarified that in order for a boy and girl to get married, they both should be 18 years old at least, according to health experts.

“Maternal mortality of pregnant women below the age of 15 increases by 5 percent. Hence it is important that the age of marriage should be fixed at the age of 18.”

The YDA programme officer appealed to all stakeholders, including the media to play a role in this regard and highlight it at the highest forums.

YAD Chief Executive Ata-ul-Haq Khadarzai, Programme Manager Gul Meena and other senior staff also attended the presser.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2020.