Child marriage or early marriage is an undeniable fact that is considered to be a human rights violation that has destructive impacts on girls’ education, psychological and physical health, and the health of their kids. According to UNICEF 12 million children are married before the age of 18 in the world and the act is so highly practiced in Pakistan as 21% of the girls are married at the age of 18 and 3% at 15. Child marriage also comprises boys. As it is the denying fact that every girl has the dream to acquire an education and get to the landing place of their life even to assemble their parents to perceive pride in their daughters who are no less than a son. But unfortunately, their dreams remain dreams as they get married at the age of chasing their dreams.
They prefer to become brides while playing and learning and carry heavy responsibilities and a child to care for while they want childhood and care for themselves.
Child marriage has devastating impacts on mental health too as the people married early are more at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As well they are likely to suffer from depressive disorders. Besides, they also have maternal mortality as most deaths during pregnancy are of 15_19 years, old girls. Male nutrition, miscarriages, and cardiovascular diseases are more often affecting such people. They are also at risk of STDS (sexually transmitted infections).
Besides this child, marriage can lead to the death of the girls who can suffer from lots of diseases after marriage. Thus, I request that people kindly be significant to make the parents aware of the effects of child marriage who feel their daughters are a burden on their shoulders but in reality, a daughter’s birth can change the luck of the family.
MAHNAZ NASIR ALI, TURBAT