The legal minimum marriage age for girls in Pakistan is 16 years old, although there have been efforts to raise it.
While the legal age provides a baseline, the reality is more nuanced. Here's a breakdown:
- Legal Minimum: The law stipulates that girls must be at least 16 years old to legally marry in Pakistan. For males, the legal age is 18.
- Sindh Province Exception: Sindh province has already raised the minimum marriage age to 18 for both males and females.
- Efforts for National Change: There is ongoing advocacy and debate surrounding raising the minimum marriage age to 18 nationwide for all genders. Many advocate for this change to align with international standards and better protect the rights and well-being of young girls.
- Cultural Factors: Despite legal provisions, cultural norms and traditions in some regions may influence marriage practices, sometimes leading to marriages below the legal age.
In conclusion, although the legal marriage age for girls in Pakistan is 16, efforts are underway to raise it to 18 across the entire country to promote gender equality and protect girls from early marriage.
