| Issue/Objective |
Globally, an estimated 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year, with South Asia accounting for nearly 45% of cases and an estimated 290 million women and girls married in childhood. In Pakistan, approximately 19.36 million women and girls were first married before 18, with rural areas experiencing persistently lower median age at first marriage compared to national averages. Early marriage is closely linked to early childbearing, reduced educational attainment, and adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) outcomes. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of adolescent girls navigating early marriage and teenage pregnancy in rural Sindh, Pakistan, and to understand how sociocultural and structural factors shape SRHR vulnerabilities. |
| Methodology/Approach |
This study is part of a larger participatory action research (PAR) project (2023-2028) to develop an SRHR and Family Planning Advocacy Toolkit for adolescents in Pakistan. Using a descriptive multiple case study design, Phase 1 of the study (2024-2025) explored lived experiences of female adolescents in rural Sindh (Matiari, Saeedabad, Hala). In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted in Sindhi and Urdu by trained research assistants. Data were thematically analyzed using within- and cross-case comparisons. Participatory reflection sessions were used to validate emerging findings and ensure community grounding. |
| Results |
Four adolescent case narratives highlight intersecting patterns of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, school discontinuation, and restricted SRHR access. Findings reveal strong gender norms positioning girls within patriarchal systems where early marriage is linked to family honor and economic considerations. Participants experienced limited access to SRHR information and services, interrupted education, and heightened exposure to stigma, coercion, and abuse. Despite aspirations for education and autonomy, structural and sociocultural barriers constrained opportunities for agency and development. |
| Discussion/Conclusion |
Early marriage in rural Sindh reflects entrenched gender inequality and structural deprivation, contributing to poor SRHR and developmental outcomes for adolescent girls. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-driven, education-centered, and SRHR-responsive interventions that challenge harmful norms and expand access to services. Through participatory approaches, this work aligns with the conference theme by advancing equity-focused, locally grounded solutions to restore commitment to adolescent health and rights in fragmented and resource-constrained settings. |
| Presenters and Affiliations |
Salima Meherali University of Alberta |
