Under-age marriages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) continue to annihilate minor girls' lives after the responsibility for legislation was given to provincial governments under 18th Amendment. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has failed to put forth a bill to limit illegal marriages and catch culprits following Awami National Party's (ANP) footsteps.
The provinces were given responsibility of legislation for women's rights after 18th Amendment was brought in the Constitution of Pakistan. Civil society has continued to raise voice for women's rights in the past on different forums. Under-age marriages have been one of the several topics raised by the civil society.
United Nations Organisation (UNO) arm UNICEF's Pakistan chapter which enhances support for women and children in neglected cities had issued a report which stated that at least 21 percent of marriages have brides who are less than 18 years of age. Another report which was issued by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan suggests that several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa see 74 percent under-age marriages. Illegal marriages not only add to the social issues of the country but concern health bodies as women complain about different medical issues.
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