SHANGLA: Civil society members and educationists joined forces on Monday to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at curbing early marriages, a persistent issue plaguing the region and contributing to alarming dropout rates among girl students.

The initiative, led by community members Mubashir Hassan, Sultan Sikandar, Hassina Khan, Abdullah Khan, Hussain Ahmad, Amirzeb Khan, Shahzad Khan, Rafiq Khan, Wahid Khan, Saeedullah Khan, Iftikhar Khan and others, aims to educate the public about the detrimental effects of early marriages.

The campaign was prompted by recent incidents, including the marriage of an 11-year-old fourth grader in Kana tehsil.

Majeedullah Khan, a senior lawyer, said that influential individuals often escaped accountability in such cases. “In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the law prohibits marriage under 16, but in other provinces, it’s 18. However, these laws are often ignored here,” he said.

Initiative is led by civil society members, educationists

He added the law’s implementation was very poor and parties involved in early marriages often got benefits of loopholes left by the police in their investigations.

Hassina Khan, who is a teacher, said recently one of her girl students abandoned her studies as her parents fixed her marriage date though she had not yet reached the age of 16.

She said saving the future of young girls, who wanted to continue education and make their future brighter, was essential. “Creating awareness among the people, particularly clerics, to play their due role in the cause is critical.”

“To address this issue, civil society members and educationists plan to engage with ulema and community groups. By involving religious leaders, we hope to raise awareness about the negative consequences of child marriages. We will work with ulema to address this issue,” said Iftikhar Khan, who is a government school principal.

He lamented that the high dropout rate among girl students was largely due to parents marrying them off without considering their future or even seeking their consent.

“As a result, the dreams and aspirations of these young girls are left shattered.”

The initiative also proposes introducing affidavits in educational institutions, ensuring that students are not married until they complete their education up to BS level. It also plans to utilise social media as a powerful tool to raise awareness about this critical issue.

Hussain Ahmad, who is also a teacher, highlighted the need to address the root causes of early marriages, which often stem from poverty and social issues. “Individuals cannot challenge customs alone. We need to devise strategies to support families and prevent dropouts.”

“We recognise that ending the practice of early marriages requires a collective effort. By working together with ulema, community groups and local authorities, we hope to create a safer, more supportive environment for children to thrive,” Ahmad said.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2025