30/05/2025
On May 30, 2025, Pakistan achieved a significant milestone in child protection and gender equality with the enactment of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, this legislation sets 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage for both girls and boys, aligning Pakistan's laws with its commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
Key Provisions of the Law:
Equal Legal Marriage Age: Establishes 18 as the minimum marriage age for both genders in ICT.
Criminalization of Underage Marriages: Imposes stringent penalties, including up to seven years in prison, for individuals facilitating or coercing underage marriages.
Statutory R**e Classification: Defines any sexual relations within a marriage involving a minor as statutory r**e, regardless of consent.
Mandatory Age Verification: Requires marriage registrars to verify the ages of both parties through official documents like CNICs or educational certificates before registration.
A Collective Effort:
This legislative success is the culmination of over a decade of persistent advocacy by civil society organizations, child rights activists, and progressive lawmakers. Notably, Senator Sherry Rehman championed the bill in the Senate, following its introduction in the National Assembly by Sharmila Farooqi. Senator Naseema Ehsan's poignant testimony about her own experience with child marriage underscored the urgent need for reform.
Institutions like the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) played pivotal roles in mobilizing support and shaping the bill's provisions. Their efforts exemplify the power of collaborative action in driving social change.
Implications and the Road Ahead:
While this law marks a significant step forward, its true impact will depend on effective implementation. This includes:
Capacity Building: Training law enforcement and judicial personnel to enforce the new provisions effectively.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating communities about the harms of child marriage and the importance of adhering to the legal age requirements.
Provincial Harmonization: Encouraging other provinces to adopt similar legislation, as seen in Sindh and proposed in Punjab, to ensure nationwide protection for children.
This landmark legislation not only protects the rights of children in the capital territory but also sets a precedent for the rest of the country. It reflects Pakistan's commitment to upholding human rights and fostering a safer, more equitable society for its youth.
Let us continue to support and advocate for the full realization of this law's potential, ensuring that every child in Pakistan can enjoy a future free from the harms of early and forced marriages.