Child Marriage: A Burden Too Heavy for a Young Mind -

Writer: Aashan Latif
In our society, marriage is not just a union of two people. It is a major shift in a girl’s life. She leaves her home, moves into another house, and is expected to adjust to an entirely new environment. She must learn to understand new people, new expectations, and new responsibilities. Soon after marriage, the physical relationship leads to childbirth. The young girl then becomes responsible for raising children, caring for their health, managing their early education and upbringing. If misfortune strikes and the husband dies or develops a serious illness, the entire financial burden often falls on the girl who herself was married too young.
All of us have been children once. Think honestly about your own mind at the age of nine or ten. Apart from play, games, cartoons, stories, clothes or school, what did we really understand about life? A young girl is still discovering herself. She is trying to understand people, emotions and basic responsibilities. Her own home is still a learning space for her. She is surrounded by questions, confusions and innocent fears. How can a child who is not mentally settled in her own home suddenly adjust to another family and take on the role of a wife?
A girl’s physical maturity means nothing without mental maturity. Both education and emotional development take time. At least eighteen years are needed for a basic level of understanding, confidence and decision making. Even at eighteen, many girls are still learning. So what can we expect from a child far younger than that?
Pakistan is witnessing a dangerous trend fueled by poverty and lack of education: early and child marriages. Statistics show that 21 percent of girls in Pakistan are married before the age of eighteen. The numbers are even higher in rural Sindh, where cultural traditions, poverty, and low literacy rates create a dangerous environment for young girls. For many families, marrying a girl early seems like a solution to financial hardship or social pressure. But in reality, this choice destroys a child’s future.
Child marriage carries lifelong consequences. A girl who marries young is often denied the right to education. Without schooling, her economic opportunities disappear. She faces the risks of early pregnancy, which can lead to serious health complications. Child brides also face greater chances of domestic violence. With limited decision-making power, their voices go unheard in their own homes.
In many rural areas, the problem deepens because families do not obtain birth certificates for their children. Without age documentation, child marriages cannot be traced or prevented. Marriage brokers play a major role. According to the Child Marriage Act 2013, arranging a marriage involving a minor is a punishable offense. But marriage brokers rarely verify ages. Many are not registered, and most child marriages are never recorded. As a result, countless cases remain hidden.
Ending child marriage is not just a legal need. It is a moral and social responsibility. Preventing it requires long-term commitment. Awareness campaigns, education programs, and strong community engagement are essential. Quality education must be ensured for both girls and boys, because education is the strongest tool that can delay child marriage and open better opportunities.
Law enforcement must also be strengthened. Existing laws need to be applied strictly, not just written on paper. Local administrations, community leaders, teachers, and health workers all have a role in identifying and preventing early marriages.
Promoting gender equality is equally important. When families start valuing daughters as much as sons, when girls are seen as individuals with dreams and potential, the cycle of child marriage begins to break. Empowered girls can learn, grow, earn and contribute to society in healthier ways.
There is a need to create a sustainable, nationwide system that can identify, report and stop child marriages at every level. This includes accurate birth registration, strict monitoring of marriage records, and accessible support for vulnerable families.
Child marriage is not just a tradition. It is a silent crisis that steals childhood, education, health and future. Protecting girls from early marriage means protecting the future of our society. A child deserves time to grow, to learn, and to dream. No girl should be forced to carry the weight of responsibilities her young shoulders were never meant to bear.