The Child Protection and Welfare Board (CPWB) has submitted the Child Marriage Restriction Bill 2024-25 to the Punjab government, which aims to raise the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18 years, Dawn reported.
CPWB President Sara Ahmad stressed to Punjab Home Minister Noorul Amin Mengal the urgent need to combat the harmful practice of child marriage. Referring to the 2017-2018 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, Ahmad said that in Punjab, 18% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18 and 2% before the age of 15. revealed that he had done so.
As reported by Dawn, Sara Ahmad, both in her capacity as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) and CPWB Chairman, is rallying for the support of the Ministry of Interior in championing this important legislative effort.
The proposed Punjab Child Marriage Restriction Bill, 2024 is a modern revision of the outdated Child Marriage Restriction Act, 1929. Its primary objective is to protect the health, safety, and overall well-being of young girls affected by child marriage in the state. .
The bill is 18th Amendment compliant and tailored to the specific needs of Punjab. Its central objective is to protect the rights and welfare of children, especially girls, and to ensure that they develop their potential in a family environment free from discrimination and violence.
Mr. Ahmad called for speedy introduction of the Punjab Child Marriage Restriction Bill, 2024, which sets a precedent for progress in child welfare, equality of rights, and public health.
According to the bill, marriages can only be solemnized and registered on presentation of a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). If there is a dispute as to the age of either party, the court will verify age through birth certificates, education records, or other relevant documents. If such evidence is lacking, medical examination reports are used to determine age.
Additionally, the bill proposes severe penalties for adults who engage in child marriage or facilitate such unions, or for parents or guardians involved in child marriage arrangements. Violators may be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to PKR 2,000,000.
Punjab Home Secretary Mengal informed Dawn that the ministry had convened a meeting to discuss the introduction of the bill. He confirmed that the proposed Child Marriage Restriction Bill 2024-25 has been sent to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Cabinet for consideration, Dawn reported.
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