It hurts me to say that early marriage remains a major issue in Pakistan in these days. According to a report approximately half of Pakistani women are married before they are 18 years old and nine percent of the girls begin childbearing between 15 and 19 years.
Likewise, worldwide, approximately 60 million girls are married under the age of 18 years. But we don’t think that it is a bad thing. Although child marriage effects both the male and female life, the latter suffers the most. In fact, the boys often grow up and remarry.
On the other hand, the female shoulders the responsibilities of being a wife, a sister, daughter-in-law, and very soon a mother. She faces ill-health, the danger of losing her own life or her children’s as well as derision and abuse – mental and physical. And early marriage also effects their education which leaves them illiterate.
Thus, it is my humble request to the concerned authorities: please take serious action against this issue and save the lives of these children.
NOOR BAKHSH
Turbat
