Shamila and Amina, aged 14 and 13, were married off by their parents in Pakistan as monsoon rains approached to help the family survive the threat of floods. Shamila expressed her initial happiness about the marriage, hoping for a better life, but now faces fear and uncertainty as the rains approach.
Rights workers have observed a recent increase in underage marriages in Pakistan, particularly after the devastating floods of 2022, caused by climate change. The heavy and prolonged monsoon rains have created economic insecurity, leading families to resort to marrying off their daughters for survival.
Villages in Sindh, still reeling from the aftermath of the 2022 floods, have seen a rise in child marriages, with young girls being given away in exchange for money. This trend has been dubbed ‘monsoon brides’ by activists working to combat child marriage in the region.
Many families justify these marriages as a means to escape poverty, with young girls like Najma Ali experiencing disillusionment after her wedding at age 14. The economic conditions worsened by climate change have left many villages barren and impoverished, prompting desperate measures like underage marriage.
Despite efforts by NGOs like Sujag Sansar to intervene and prevent child marriages, the threat of extreme weather events continues to put girls at risk. The story of Mehtab, a 10-year-old girl whose marriage was postponed with NGO assistance, highlights the ongoing struggle to protect young girls from the cycle of poverty and early marriage.
