A joint roundtable in Karachi convened by the National Commission on the Status of Women and the Sindh Child Protection Authority brought together government, legal and international stakeholders to assess implementation gaps in the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 and to identify steps to strengthen enforcement and community protection for children.
Participants from the Sindh Police, the Legal Aid Society, UNFPA Pakistan and the Sindh Child Protection Authority discussed weaknesses in the existing rules and coordination mechanisms that hinder effective application of the law. Despite a notable number of reported child marriage cases, conviction rates remain low, underscoring a disconnect between reporting and prosecution.
Speakers highlighted weak enforcement on the ground and limited availability of psychosocial support services for affected children and families. The continued involvement of nikah khawans in facilitating underage marriages was identified as a persistent challenge that undermines legal safeguards and community awareness.
The meeting also acknowledged positive measures already in place, including free child birth registration services that can help verify age and prevent underage marriage. Participants suggested leveraging the outreach capacity of existing public health programs, such as polio vaccination campaigns, to raise awareness about child marriage and related protections.
Delegates called for urgent action to notify and clarify the rules underpinning the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, strengthen the capacity of police and investigating officers, and mobilize communities to ensure the law provides meaningful protection for children. Enhanced coordination among agencies and expanded support services were recommended as immediate priorities to translate legislative progress into tangible outcomes.
