All the issues involved must be brought into the picture before making decisions regarding child marriages, especially given the dire need to protect women in our country. PHOTO: FILE
The matter is one that has cropped up again and again, in one context or the other, with the Council of Islamic Ideology bringing it up during its most recent meeting; but there are some things that should be considered above all else when talking of child marriages. The undisputed fact is that early marriage and early pregnancy is harmful to the health of girls, who may not have reached maturity. Such pregnancies have been cited by experts as a leading cause for conditions such as fistula and other complications. It is also a fact that early marriages almost inevitably mean more pregnancies, draining the mother’s health, placing more financial strain on families and contributing to a growth in population size that we desperately need to control.
All these factors need to go into place when determining such matters. After all, they have an impact on the overall welfare of our nation. This must be kept in mind. The welfare of one half of the people who make up the nation — the women and also the children born to them — is also important. Marriage has many implications; it brings many responsibilities. For this reason, when it is discussed or opinions given out, the broader perspective also needs to be kept in mind. Social customs, after all, have a very wide impact. The issue of child marriage is a grave one. All the issues involved must be brought into the picture before making decisions regarding it, especially given the dire need to protect women in our country and guarantee them rights as equal citizens.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2014.
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Before maturity any contract made with a minor is considered non consensual. A minor is considered incapable of giving legal or informed consent. Marriage with a minor is thus a form of sex slavery. Actual sexual contact with a child is pedophilia. Both are repugnant crimes. What evil purpose is served by associating a religion with these inhumane practices? What power does the CII have? Who gave them this power? In whose name do they exercise it? To whom is the CII accountable? How can it be removed?
Give Mullah a free hand and he will take Pakistan to doomsday. Well! they have already pushed it to the brink. Social change, reformation, modernity were perhaps always alien to Pakistani culture. What makes me to shiver in my shoes is the future of this country.
As the Germans say let us leave the church in the village and make important decions based on modern 21 century thinking. And here it is clear that child marriage is nothing less than robbery of a human being. In my opinion only adults with at least 20 should be allowed to wed. Marriage is not just sexual relationship, but living together with common dreams where both are in a position to discauss and make decisions together. And here a child is not fit for such challenges. emphasis shpould also be given to rights of women in case the marriage does not work. Wives should be given a part of her husband's income.