ISLAMABAD: The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) on Monday hosted the launch of ‘Bolo (Speak Out) Child Marriage Communication Campaign’ with its consortium partners Unicef, UNFPA and UN Women.

This event, whichaimed at raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 across the country, brought together key stakeholders to address the pressing issue of the prevalence of child marriage.

Senator Sehar Kamran, in her keynote speech, highlighted the legislative struggle that began in 2016, acknowledging NCSW Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar’s pivotal role in advancing the bill against child marriage.

Ms Kamran underscored the critical need to eliminate religious misconceptions and gain support from influential bodies such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“While under-18s cannot obtain driving licences or sign contracts, they are often forced into the most important contract of life – marriage,” she pointed out.

The proposed legislation aims to safeguard girls’ rights to education and protection from child labour and abuse.

The conference featured a performance of the official campaign song by Alamdar Khan. It also included the launch of media products including TVCs and documentaries, curated with the intention of disseminating information and creating awareness regarding the subject of child marriage.

According to these infomercials, 21pc of the brides in Pakistan were under the age of 18, with some as young as five.

According to a press release issued by the NCSW, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage and push for amendments to the law and its implementation.

Unicef officials presented the key features of the campaign while UNFPA and UN Women representatives pledged to continue their effort for legal amendments and implementation, the press release stated.

Adeel Jafferi, Unicef’s consultant on child marriage, provided insights into the multifaceted approach of the initiative. He underscored the importance of ‘Bolo’ as a term that acts as the backbone of the campaign.

He said the core message was to speak out against the injustices meted out to children and women in the society. He stressed the importance of community as well as the engagement of parents and religious leaders in combating the societal norms that perpetuate child marriage.

Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar, marking her last day in office, expressed her gratitude to the partners for their unwavering support in launching the ‘Bolo’ campaign. She reflected on the journey, noting that despite initial legislative rejections, persistent efforts have now led to the introduction of the bill in the Punjab and Balochistan assemblies.

She urged the government, NGOs, civil society and media to play their roles in helping eradicate such harmful practices.

“Pakistan is waiting to see more girls and women in classrooms, courtrooms, boardrooms and the Parliament. We need to get up and pave the way,” Ms Bakhtiar said in her parting words.

She emphasised the necessity for fearless dedication to social causes, encouraging women to take on leadership roles and contribute to national progress.

The conference marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to end child marriage in Pakistan, reflecting NCSW and its partners’ commitment towards fostering an inclusive and equitable society.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024