By Amna Amir (Pakistan)

At the age when she should be dreaming, she’s holding wedding bangles in her hands. “Study and take the responsibility of household, What else?” These painful words are heard by many girls who wish to study, dream big, and live for themselves, but their ambitions are crushed under the weight of outdated mindsets. Child marriage is not just about a wedding — it’s about lost childhoods, broken dreams, and silent cries.

What is Child Marriage? According to UNICEF, “Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child.” This means that even if the marriage is not legally registered, as long as one party is under 18, it is still child marriage. It often involves girls being pushed into roles they are not physically, mentally, or emotionally ready for, as wives, mothers, and caretakers.

Cultural Pressure and Misguided Traditions

“You’re getting older, who will marry you later?” “Your brother’s wedding is done. Now it’s your turn”

Etc.

These statements aren’t guidance but pressure that many girls grow up internalizing. They are taught that their worth lies in when they marry, not in what they aspire to become. In many households, daughters are raised to obey, not to choose — even if it means sacrificing their education, freedom, and peace of mind. Every child is born with dreams — to be a doctor, a teacher, a writer — but for millions of girls, those dreams end the moment a wedding ring is placed on their finger. Instead of making choices for themselves, they are thrust into marriage, motherhood, and often abuse — all before they turn 18.

The Harsh Reality of Early Marriage Even when some families allow education after marriage, early marriage still crushes a girl’s confidence. She doesn’t know how to make decisions, how to stand up for herself, or how to balance motherhood and studies at such a young age.

Impact on Mental Health and Education Child marriage often leads to forced pregnancy, domestic violence, and isolation. A girl who should be studying is instead facing the emotional trauma of being someone’s wife and mother far too early. Her mental health suffers. She loses confidence, and many even experience depression and anxiety. Instead of chasing dreams, they learn to survive in silence.

I have personally seen this happen to many girls around me — in my extended family, among my friends, and in my community. Some of them were bright students, full Health Risks and Forced Pregnancy One of the most devastating consequences of child marriage is forced pregnancy, manage a household, and raise children before her body or mind is ready. This often results in severe health complications, including death during childbirth, and mental trauma such as postpartum depression. Child marriage also exposes girls to a cycle of domestic violence, emotional abuse, and complete dependence on their husbands or in-laws. Many are silenced in the name of family honour. In treating girls like property to be controlled rather than people.

Research and Global Statistics Several credible organizations have conducted extensive research in this area, one of which is Save the Children. According to their Global Girlhood Report:

• 40 million girls aged 15–19 are currently married or in a union.

• 12 million girls every year are married before age 18 — 4 million are under 15.

• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2.5 million more girls are at risk of early marriage.

• 15 million children may never return to school, putting them at risk of marriage, child labor, and even armed group recruitment.

• By 2030, around 150 million girls could lose their childhoods to marriage.

These numbers are not just statistics. Each one is a life — a girl with dreams, hopes, and the right to choose.

A Law Student’s Perspective This article is not just my opinion. It is a voice — for those girls who couldn’t speak for themselves. For those who lost their childhoods in silence. For those who were told, “Don’t dream, just adjust.”

I strongly believe that child marriage is not a cultural tradition — it is a violation of fundamental human rights and a deep-rooted injustice that continues to steal away girls’ futures under the false label of custom.

Child marriage is not only about poverty or lack of education — it’s about control and mindset. Society needs to understand: a girl is not a puppet. She is a human being who deserves to study, grow, and make her own choices. Controlling her dreams is not wisdom — it’s injustice.

Let’s raise our voices. Let’s stand for girls who can’t speak for themselves. Let’s give them books instead of wedding bangles, and let them walk into classrooms instead of marriage halls.