Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has stepped up efforts to strengthen local government institutions to prevent child marriage and protect girls’ rights. A high-level event brought together KPCSW Chairperson Dr Samira Shams, representatives of government departments, civil society, UN agencies, DG Local Government Dr Qasim, WCommission member Dr Manhas and other stakeholders to discuss institutional responses.
Participants reaffirmed that ending child marriage will be treated as a core responsibility of local government rather than a standalone project. The Department of Local Government (LGE&RDD), UNFPA and Group Development Pakistan have partnered under the Awaaz Do programme to introduce institutional reforms aimed at a durable, effective solution to child marriage.
Dr Samira Shams emphasized that child marriage is not only a social concern but a governance, service delivery and accountability challenge that requires training to be institutionalized. Speaking at a panel discussion on institutionalizing training for social change, she thanked Group Development Pakistan, LGE&RDD and UNFPA for facilitating timely and focused dialogue.
According to Dr Shams, institutional training helps maintain continuity despite staff transfers, supports effective enforcement of laws and builds a uniform understanding across all districts. She highlighted that local government is the first point of contact where timely identification and prevention measures can secure the protection of girls.
Referencing the commission’s legal mandate, Dr Samira Shams noted that the KPCSW Act 2016 tasks the commission with reviewing women- and girls-related laws and policies, monitoring implementation gaps and advising the government on reforms. She underlined that preventing child marriage is a shared, multisectoral responsibility rather than the duty of a single department.
KPCSW has already initiated steps including the notification of a child marriage legislation committee, plans to strengthen links with nikah registrars and local government bodies, and awareness campaigns in colleges and universities about nikahnama. Dr Samira Shams reiterated that preventing child marriage lays the foundation for a safer future generation and that KPCSW will continue collaboration with the government, UN agencies and civil society to pursue this objective.
