Child Marriage’s in Pakistan: A Case of Psychological Effects

Abstract

Child marriage has significant psychological consequences, particularly for the young girls forced into these unions. According to UNICEF, over 20% of girls in Pakistan are married before the age of 18. Child brides may experience extreme emotional distress due to the sudden transition into adulthood and the responsibilities of married life. They often face overwhelming pressures to fulfill
traditional roles as wives and mothers. The Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act of 2014 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2014 have set the legal minimum age for marriage at 18 for males and 16 for females. However, child marriages continue to occur due to a combination of factors, including cultural traditions, poverty, and limited awareness about the harmful consequences of early marriage. Child marriage jeopardizes the health, education, and future prospects of girls, often subjecting them to early pregnancies and a cycle of gender-based violence. To address this issue, comprehensive efforts are needed, including enforcing existing
laws, raising awareness, and providing economic opportunities for families, to reduce the prevalence of child marriage in Pakistan. In this research explore the child marriage issues in Pakistan and how child issue psychologically affect the married girls, meanwhile find out the steps taken by state to overcome the child marriage issues.