Child Marriage in Pakistan:
There are many examples of the impact of climate change on the environment and humans. But in Pakistan, the situation is different. In 2022, there was an unprecedented flood in Pakistan. Then came the agricultural crisis. Child marriage is on the rise in Pakistan. Human rights activists say that due to economic changes due to climate change, the rate of child marriage has increased a lot.
AFP news agency recently reported on the marriage of two sisters. The marriage of 14-year-old Shamila and 13-year-old Amina was arranged for money. The girl's parents married her off to a man who was twice her age. Because of what? With this money, the girl's family will be able to survive.
"I am happy to announce my marriage," she told AFP. I think my life will be easier. "Despite marrying a man twice her age, Shamila is forced to accept this life due to poverty. "We don't have anything left as it is raining heavily. I feel like if we weren't married, we'd be here.
Extreme weather changes are seen in Pakistan between July and September. In such a situation, the livelihood and food security of lakhs of farmers is at stake. According to scientists, landslides and floods are occurring in Pakistan during this period. There is also an increased risk of long-term damage to crops.
Many villages in Pakistan's Sindh province are yet to recover from floods after 2022. This area was the worst affected. Millions of people have been displaced and crops destroyed. Mashook Birhamani, founder of NGO Sujag Sansar, said that due to all these circumstances, the trend of 'Monsoon Bride' has started in Pakistan. Mashook's NGO is trying to prevent child marriage.
"The family needs money to survive. So they are selling their daughters through marriage. The rest of the family lives on the money. The district of Dadu suffered the most damage in the 2022 flood. The lake had not been drained for months. He also said that the area has the highest rate of child marriage.
Speaking to AFP, the parents of Shamila and Amina said they married off their daughters to save them from poverty. Shamila's mother-in-law said that Shamila's parents have been given two lakh Pakistani rupees ($720) in exchange for this marriage. Families in the area pay about $1 a day.