LAHORE: Parliamentarians from two major political parties at a webinar titled "ending child marriage in Punjab" have resolved to support increasing the minimum age of marriage for girls from 16 to 18 years by introducing amendments to relevant acts pending before the Punjab Assembly as childbirth-related complications are the main causes of death for mothers aged 15 to 19.
The webinar was arranged by BARGAD, a leading youth development organization, on Friday in which parliamentarians, members of civil society, media and students from almost all major educational institutes participated and shared their views.
In her opening address, MNA Romina said that child marriages deprive girls of the right to education and it is an obstacle in nurturing educated, healthy and prosperous families. She said that child marriage is a source of prolonging the cycle of poverty, especially in rural areas and Pakistan has already one of the highest malnutrition burdens in the world. "Stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies are endemic in the country," she added.
MPA Sadia Sohail claimed that the government is determined to pursue this progressive legislation and it is only a matter of time that Punjab will set a minimum age of marriage for girls at 18 years. She also stressed on the fact that this revision is an absolute need because of the high maternal and neonatal mortality rate in Pakistan.
"In Pakistan, pregnancy and childbirth related complications are the main causes of death for mothers aged 15 to 19. The maternal mortality rate in females under age of 20 is nearly at 242 deaths out of every 100,000 births," she said.
Almost 116 children under one year of age die out of 1,000 births by women under age 20 (PDHS 2006-7) versus 75 per 1,000 for the children of women who give birth between the ages of 20 to 29, she added.
MPA Sumaira Bukhari said that women parliamentarians from all the political parties are united on this particular issue of child marriage. "We will ensure that obsolete laws are revoked so that girls and families actively participate in development of the nation," she said, and proposed dedicating a day in the Punjab Assembly to discuss this issue and move the legislation forward.
"We need to include women in the economy and social development. We have to abandon harmful customary practices for girls and increase the minimum marriage age," said MPA Bushra Anjum Butt.
She threw light on how a girl loses her childhood when she gets married and has to be responsible for so many other new relationships that her mind is not yet matured for. She suggested increasing the role of local bodies in the implementation of this law as union councils (UCs) have a direct interaction with the community.
According to MPA Raheela Khadim, nearly 21 percent of girls got married before the age of 18 years and three percent before the age of 15 years in Pakistan. We need to change this culture in the light of teachings and practices of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who termed the child marriage a 'social evil'.
Suggesting inclusion of clergy in the debate, she said they can help create awareness about this evil with a wider reach. The parliamentarians were also presented with results of an online petition initiated by a 14-year-old girl.
Around 7,500 persons have endorsed this petition and requested the parliamentarians to increase the minimum age of marriage for girls in Punjab from 16 to 18 years. The girl aims to collect 50,000 signatures before presenting the petition to the Punjab Assembly.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
Comments
Comments are closed.