NCSW and its consortium partners Unicef, Unwomen and Unfpa had their 7th session today and concluded the national consultations on child marriage.

Nationwide consultations towards early legislation to curb the evil of child marriage on provincial and Federal level along with AJK & GB were carried out and senior government officials , politicians, media persons, civil society organizations were a part of these consultative sessions.

Chairperson NCSW Nilofer Bakhtiar in her address called for a national consensus to eradicate child marriage in Pakistan. This urgent issue continues to take away the childhood dreams from our girls and deprives them from education, health and fundamental rights.Till date Pakistan still relies on the 1929 Child Marriage Restraint Act, hindering effective prevention. NCSW emphasizes the need for updated legislation to set a minimum age for marriage based on international standards. Stronger laws, harsher penalties, investment in girls education, community awareness campaigns, economic opportunities for families, and research on the issue is direly needed. Chief guest minister for health Balochistan Dr Amir Muhammad Khan Jagozei affirmed the commitment of his government towards immediate legislation against child marriage and investing towards equal opportunities of growth, education and fundamental rights for girls. For the closing session minister for Education Dr Qadir Baksh Baloch was the chief guest and fully supported the child marriage and offered to give maximum support for its legislation in the upcoming assembly after elctions in Balochistan.