December 28, 2024
By Basharat Khan
QUETTA
Shagufta Khan, a resident of Quetta, was just 15 years old when she was married off to a septuagenarian.
Reflecting on her life, she shares that her marriage was marred by mistreatment from her in-laws and other domestic troubles. These hardships eventually forced her to make the difficult decision to separate from her husband after a few years.
Today, Shagufta says she is content with her choice and is living a peaceful and fulfilling life on her own. “The huge age difference between us made me realise that neither my husband nor I could comprehend each other’s differing points of view on how to carry their relationship,” Shagufta Khan tells Voicepk.net.
Mission against child marriages
Shagufta Khan’s journey didn’t end with her personal struggle. Determined to ensure other young girls are spared from a similar fate, she has established a welfare organization aimed at combating child marriages in her community. “I have seen young girls being tortured and thought how long would the practice of child marriages last in our society,” she says.
Through this initiative, Shagufta Khan raises awareness about the harmful consequences of early marriages, visiting homes to engage directly with parents and urging them to delay their daughters’ marriages.
Proposed anti-child marriage bill in limbo
Prominent human rights activist Sana Durrani sheds light on the broader context of child marriages in Balochistan. According to her, despite efforts by her organisation to address the issue, legislative progress has been disappointingly slow.
“Since 2010, activists have worked towards legislation to stop child marriages but the proposed bills despite approvals from cabinets on several occasions could not proceed to the voting stage in the provincial assembly,” she says.
While her organisation has reported several cases of child marriages, particularly from the Turbat district, these efforts have yet to translate into significant action on the assembly floor. “Unfortunately, a proposed anti-child marriage draft bill has been approved by the provincial cabinet but it has still not been tabled in the provincial assembly for it to be passed and enacted in Balochistan,” Durrani reveals to Voicepk.net. She says the draft bill has inputs from the Council of Islamic Ideology, religious scholars, political parties and other relevant stakeholders.
Community awareness efforts
In a recent awareness campaign, a private organisation held an event at a local hotel in Quetta, drawing a large crowd of men and women. The event featured a short film titled Salma, highlighting the severe consequences of child marriages, including health risks and the long-term societal impact. “The purpose of producing and screening Salma is to raise societal awareness of marrying girls at an appropriate age,” says Sadia Atta, provincial lead of the United Nations Population Fund at the screening event.
Political promises
Hadia Nawaz, a member of the Balochistan Assembly, announced that the provincial cabinet has approved measures to curb child marriages. She expressed optimism that the legislation would soon gain full approval in the assembly, signaling a possible turning point in the fight against this social ill.
Grim realities
Organizations working on the issue report alarming consequences of child marriages in Balochistan, including high maternal mortality rates among young girls and the destruction of families. Despite these dire outcomes, activists argue that the government has yet to take the issue seriously enough to implement effective, long-term solutions.
While some progress has been made in terms of awareness and advocacy, child marriages remain a pressing issue in Balochistan. Activists and legislators alike are calling for more decisive action to protect young girls and secure their future. The question remains: will these efforts lead to meaningful change, or will the cycle of early marriages continue unchecked?