ISLAMABAD: Calling for a transformational change towards harmful practices of child marriage, speakers at an event on Sunday emphasised the significance of implementing preventive measures to address the issue of child marriages.

The event, ‘Child marriages in Punjab: legislative framework and response mechanism’ was organised by Peace and Justice Network and hosted by Aawaz Programme.

The consultation was designed to identify gaps in the available legal framework and to chalk out strategies to address loopholes and bring in the required behavioural change among communities in relation to child marriages.

Representatives from Population Welfare Department, local government, UNFPA and civil society organisations participated in the consultation while the panelists included renowned academics, policy analysts, advocates and campaigners.

Speakers say child marriage robbed girls of not only their childhood but future prospect as well

Dr Yasmin Zaidi, team lead Aawaz, said that Aawaz worked with local communities on behaviour change and enhanced awareness on the rights of marginalised including women, religious minorities, youth, transgender persons and persons with disabilities in 37 selected districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

She said there were two aspects of child marriage; legal and behaviour change. It was the change in public behaviour that rendered laws effective and instrumental in addressing the issues of child marriages, she added.

Different studies and the 2017 census suggested considerable decrease in child marriage cases in terms of numbers but still there were need of massive awareness campaigns.

Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson Aawaz, provincial forum, who chaired the session, said child marriage was a complex issue and there was a need to address it from various angles. Birth registration, effective law and awareness regarding the detrimental effects of child marriage should all be important elements of advocacy initiatives.

Sarfaraz Kazmi, technical adviser at UNFPA, said child marriage robbed girls of not only their childhood but future prospect as well. The risk of falling prey to domestic violence, abuse and compromised health and right to education were among the few effects that child marriage left on girls. Child marriage is also the major cause of infant and maternal mortality rate.

Speaking on the occasion, Saman Rai, Director General Population Welfare Department, explained how her office was focusing on child marriage by creating awareness and introducing various programmes.

She said 22 million of the population were of marriageable age right now and there was a need to devise effective strategies to address this population growth as there was an obvious mismatch between the population and available resources.

Arshad Mahmood, head of programme delivery at Aawaz, emphasised the significance of implementing preventive measures when addressing the issue of child marriage. He said efforts should aim to empower communities with necessary resources and knowledge, end gender-based violence, exclusion, exploitation and intolerance.

Aawaz-ll programme of British Council was being implemented with support from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2023