Raise awareness of Child Marriages in Pakistan

After realizing success of using cultural tools in preventing child marriage with NHRF, Sujag Sansar Organization (SSO) is inviting local poets to compose poetry on child marriage. Singers are singing that poetry in big public gathering. Otaque (male guest and chatting house at village level) are being used to convey messges about the harmful impacts of child marriages to the villagers. Historically and currently otaques are used as anti women sittings where women are not allowed and community jirga (pallor and alternative justice system) are held at otaques where often minor girls are given into marriage as compensation. SSO under this project is making efforts to transform these places from anti women to pro women and strong forums in preventing child marriages. During 3 months reporting periods in 5 otaque dialogue 85 parents 15 nikah khawans, (performers of religious and legal marriage rituals), 30 local journalists and 40 youths were imparted awareness through theater, songs and folk puzzles etc. 3 mock camel marches with mock child bride and bride groom sitting atop the camels marched streets and roundabouts of the villages where child marriages are rampant. Historically camels are used as transportation of marriage parties. Thus, strategy was sensitized camel riders, village communities and other key stakeholders that they must refuse camel rides in case marriage party carries child marriage.