The persistence of child marriage in Pakistan, despite legislative progress, highlights the deep-rooted social norms and structural inequalities that laws alone cannot eradicate. Gallup Pakistan’s latest report revealed that nearly one in 10 adolescents aged 15–19 are married, showcasing a gap between legal frameworks and real-life situations. While laws in Islamabad and Sindh criminalize marriage under 18, Punjab allows it from the age of 16, with Balochistan having the highest rate of adolescent marriages at 22.5 percent.
Reforms hailed as milestones in protecting adolescent rights have not led to significant changes, as indicated by the data. The prevalence of child marriage is more pronounced in rural areas, where poverty, limited education, and cultural norms converge to perpetuate the practice. Girls bear the brunt of early marriage, with 15 percent of females aged 16–19 nationally being married, a figure that rises significantly in rural regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.
The gender disparity in early marriage reflects patriarchal norms that favor boys marrying later while girls are wed early, reinforcing women’s subordinate status in society. Early and repeated pregnancies resulting from child marriage lead to increased maternal mortality, obstetric complications, and limited economic prospects for young brides. These outcomes not only impact individuals but also hinder national development goals, necessitating a shift in policy focus towards enforcement, education, and challenging outdated norms.
Provincial authorities in Pakistan must move beyond symbolic legislation to concrete actions to safeguard adolescent girls’ rights and well-being. Addressing poverty, dismantling patriarchal norms, and promoting education are crucial steps in combating the persistence of child marriage in the country.
