We are proud that our Executive Director’s powerful article, “A Decade of Delay,” has been published today in the Pakistan Observer, bringing national attention to the urgent need for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Marriage Restraint Bill. As the only province in Pakistan still without specific legislation against child marriage, KP continues to bear the heavy human cost — with nearly 60% of girls out of school and countless futures at risk due to this harmful practice.

The article underscores critical gaps: political hesitation, legal ambiguity, and misinterpretation of advisory opinions, while emphasizing that the Council of Islamic Ideology’s opinions are advisory, whereas Federal Shariat Court rulings carry constitutional weight. It calls upon the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to move beyond debate and demonstrate the administrative will required to pass this long-overdue legislation.

Let’s join hands to build a resilient and empowered community for women and girls! Protecting girls from child marriage is not just a social necessity — it is a fundamental development and human rights imperative. FWAID remains committed to raising our voice until every girl in KP has the protection and opportunities she deserves.