Save the girls

The long-standing scourge of child marriage in Pakistan is finally being challenged with resolve. In a groundbreaking development, President Asif Zardari signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, turning it into law despite backlash from the Council of Islamic Ideology. In a society where 19 million girls are married before 18 and only 13 percent make it to secondary school, this legislation is more than symbolic—it is a lifeline. It dares to redefine norms by criminalizing underage marriage, even calling it rape in certain contexts, and repositions the girl child not as a burden but as an individual with rights. But the law’s value lies not in ink on paper, rather in the steel of its implementation, which must not bend to religious orthodoxy or political hesitance.

This progressive momentum is bolstered by Unicef’s powerful new campaign led by Saba Qamar, amplifying awareness through emotionally gripping visuals. The campaign shines a light on the consequences of child marriage—lost youth, maternal deaths, poor health, and heightened risk of cervical cancer. It urges society to protect its daughters not with walls but with education, autonomy, and opportunity. The editorial rightly reminds lawmakers that the Council of Islamic Ideology is advisory in nature, not legislative. As a signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Pakistan has both a moral and international obligation to uphold the rights and dignity of its girls. This moment demands courage and clarity—anything less would be a betrayal.

Overview:

The article highlights the legislative breakthrough of the ICT Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, which seeks to outlaw child marriage in Islamabad by legally protecting girls under 18. It underscores the urgency of implementation amidst resistance and presents the cultural, health, and human rights dimensions of child marriage. The article also lauds Unicef’s parallel awareness campaign and urges political will over religious appeasement.

NOTES:

This article provides critical insight into legal reforms, the role of religious institutions in lawmaking, and the sociocultural realities faced by women. It strengthens your understanding of governance, policy implementation, and international obligations under human rights conventions. Use this article to support questions on women’s rights, legislative challenges, and the role of advocacy campaigns in social reform.

Relevance to CSS syllabus or subjects:

• Pakistan Affairs: Social and cultural issues in Pakistan
• Gender Studies: Child marriage, reproductive health, and women empowerment
• Current Affairs: Human rights, governance, lawmaking
• Islamic Studies: Role of CII and interpretation of Islamic laws in modern governance

Notes for beginners:

Child marriage refers to marrying girls before the age of 18. In Pakistan, this is a common but dangerous tradition. For example, nearly 19 million girls are married before adulthood, and half of them get pregnant before they are ready. This leads to serious health risks, including death during childbirth or diseases like cervical cancer. A new law now makes it illegal to marry underage girls in Islamabad. This is a big step forward. Also, Unicef is showing videos with the actress Saba Qamar to tell people that girls should study and live freely, not be forced into marriage early. Such efforts aim to change old thinking and give girls a better future.

Facts and figures:

• Pakistan has the sixth highest number of child brides globally
• Around 19 million girls are married before age 18
• Only 13 percent of these girls complete secondary education
• Half of the child brides become pregnant before 18
• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44
• Unicef’s campaign uses media and celebrity advocacy to raise awareness

To wrap up, this editorial is a clarion call to protect Pakistan’s daughters from the chains of outdated traditions. It lauds a pivotal legislative victory and demands unwavering implementation. By framing child marriage as a national emergency with health, social, and legal consequences, it calls on the state to uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of young girls—not just in law but in practice. It’s a piece that resonates with hope, responsibility, and the long road toward justice.