On Sunday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed an investigation into the alarming issue of child marriages in Dadu district, following recent media reports highlighting the matter. The directive came in response to disturbing revelations about the marriage of 45 underage girls in Khan Muhammad Mallah village, which reportedly occurred since the last monsoon. According to the reports, 15 of these marriages took place in May and June of this year.
The girls’ parents have reportedly expedited these marriages, often in exchange for financial gain, with the stated aim of alleviating poverty. In light of these concerns, the Chief Minister has ordered Hyderabad’s commissioner to submit a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances surrounding these marriages.
The investigation will focus on the social, economic, and legal status of the married girls. The Chief Minister has emphasized the need for a thorough report, including the current condition of the girls and any aid they may have received, particularly if they are from flood-affected families. The commissioner is also expected to provide recommendations to address the issue.
Child marriages are a significant problem in parts of Pakistan, which has one of the highest rates of underage marriages globally. Government data from December reveals Pakistan as having the sixth-highest number of girls married before 18. Although laws stipulate a legal marriage age of 16 to 18 in different regions, enforcement remains inconsistent.
UNICEF has noted progress in combating child marriage, but recent evidence suggests that extreme weather events, such as the 2022 floods, have exacerbated the issue. According to UNICEF, these events could potentially lead to an 18% increase in child marriage rates, effectively reversing five years of progress.
