September 30, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio show Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on early child marriages in the Pashtun tradition. The key points of discussions were the lack of awareness, KP government legislation on the matter, and the religious perspective on early child marriages.
The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Nazra Syeda, a KP-based social activist and Regional Manager Khwendo Kor, participated as a guest.
A field story from Swat highlighted the campaign that Ms Hadiqa Bashir, a 13 year old activist from the area, has been running against early child marriages. Ms Hadiqa Bashir has received the Muhammad Ali International Humanitarian Award for her efforts.
She said, “Unfortunately early child marriage tradition is one of the worst traditions in Pashtunwali, which has been going on for centuries. We need to change this, which can only be achieved through continuous advocacy and awareness programs”.
Four phone calls were taken live during the show. The callers demanded of the government to legislate in KP to ban early child marriages, and urged the civil society and Pashtun elders to play their role to raise awareness about the issue.
A caller Mr. Mushi Khan said, “Islam teaches us love, while some of the religious clerics practice the opposite. Early child marriage results in the erosion of an entire group of individuals, because marriage is a contract between two people for a lifetime”. Another caller Bakht Zaman from Dir stated, “To finish this blight of early child marriages, there is a dire need of awareness and support of the elders”.
Ms. Nazra Syeda, a KP based social activist and Regional Manager Khwendo Kor
“We the parents, and the government should stop early child marriages because it destroys generations. It prevents a girl from completing her education, depriving her of a healthy life, and denies her input in the country’s economy. Hundreds of cases have been reported. The issues they face range from mental problems to other health issues as they are not capable of bearing the burden of marriage that early on. Women should spread awareness among our peers and convince our seniors to put an end to this.”