Women dept, UNICEF to curb child marriages
The Women Development Department (WDD) and UNICEF Pakistan are set to embark on an awareness campaign to combat child marriages in Punjab, coinciding with the "16 Days of Activism" global initiative.
A UNICEF team, led by Adeel Jafferi, Communication and SBC Specialist Child Protection, held a meeting with Sumaira Samad, Secretary of the Women Development Department, to discuss this endeavour.
The meeting saw the participation of Nabeela Javaid, Secretary of the Punjab Commission on The Status of Women (PCSW), and Hafiz Ubaidullah Zakria, Deputy Secretary of the Women Development Department.
The secretary of the Women Development Department highlighted the department's pivotal role in advocating for child protection issues and fostering coordination with relevant stakeholders.
She emphasised the significance of several collaborative sessions conducted with the Local Government Department to address child marriages, Nikah registration, polygamy, and related matters in Punjab.
During the meeting, it was noted that the Christian Marriage Act does not specify a minimum age for marriage, underscoring the need for legal amendments in this regard.
The Secretary stressed the importance of implementing the Child Marriage Act uniformly across Punjab, regardless of religious affiliations.
Startling data revealed an increase in child marriages in flood-affected areas, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions in these regions.
The Secretary of the Women Development Department also emphasised the significance of interdepartmental coordination, involving agencies such as the Local Government Department, Police Department, Women Ombudsperson, and others, to effectively address the issue of child marriages.
The UNICEF team commended Secretary Sumaira Samad for her unwavering commitment to this critical cause and her dedication to protecting the rights of children in Punjab.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2023.