The Rise of ‘Monsoon Brides’

Shazia Mehboob

Islamabad: Pakistan stands among the nations most severely impacted by climate change, with each passing year intensifying the severity and spread of its effects. 

The country is frequently devastated by natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, which not only ravage its physical infrastructure but also exacerbate its already significant socio-economic and political challenges.

As the consequences of climate change unfold, the human toll—particularly on vulnerable populations like women and children—becomes increasingly alarming.

 The recent floods in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan starkly illustrate the intersection of environmental degradation and social injustice. Among the most disturbing trends is the rise of child marriage, driven by climate-induced economic insecurity.

Pakistan’s geographic and socio-economic vulnerabilities make it especially susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. The 2022 floods alone caused over $30 billion in damage to infrastructure and agriculture—sectors that form the backbone of the country’s economy and employ over 42.6 percent of the population.

This devastation was not only economic; it was deeply human. Thousands lost their lives, and an estimated 8 million people were displaced, further straining a nation already grappling with socio-economic unrest and political instability. 

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Research indicates that extreme weather events in Pakistan are becoming more frequent and severe, with erratic monsoons, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures leading to more frequent heatwaves and water shortages.

The devastation caused by these climate-related events is compounded by the country’s political and economic instability, which hampers its ability to respond effectively. However, beyond the immediate physical and economic impacts, the crisis has a profound social dimension, particularly for women and children.

One of the most troubling social consequences of climate change in Pakistan is the rise in child marriages, particularly in regions hardest hit by floods. In Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, recent floods displaced over 7.6 million people. In these areas, the loss of homes and livelihoods has driven families to take desperate measures to survive, including the early marriage of young girls—a practice that has resurged due to climate-induced economic insecurity.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) estimates that around 650,000 pregnant women and young girls were affected by the floods, with about 73,000 women expected to give birth in September 2022 alone.

These women, many living in makeshift shelters, lacked access to basic healthcare, let alone the specialized care required during childbirth. In such dire circumstances, marrying off young daughters is often seen as a means of ensuring their survival, even though it perpetuates a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.

The story of 14-year-old Shamila and her 13-year-old sister Amina, who were married off to men twice their age in exchange for money, starkly illustrates this trend. Their parents, facing the threat of floods and economic ruin, believed marriage would provide their daughters with a better future.

However, the reality is far different. These girls, like many others in similar situations, find themselves trapped in a life of hardship, with little hope of escaping the poverty that drove their parents to marry them off.

The phenomenon of “monsoon brides” is a tragic consequence of the interplay between climate change and socio-economic desperation. In regions like Dadu district, which was severely affected by the 2022 floods, child marriage has spiked.

In the village of Khan Mohammad Mallah alone, 45 underage girls were married in the year following the floods, with 15 of these marriages taking place in May and June 2023. This practice is not merely cultural; it is a survival strategy for families who have lost everything and see no other way to secure their daughters’ futures.

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Before the 2022 floods, child marriage was less common in these areas. Families could rely on agriculture, fishing, and other forms of work to sustain themselves. However, the floods destroyed these livelihoods, leaving families with few options. 

The stories of Shamila, Amina, and countless other young girls highlight the profound human cost of climate change in Pakistan. These girls are not just statistics; they are individuals whose lives have been irrevocably altered by a combination of environmental and socio-economic factors.

Their marriages, driven by poverty and desperation, are a stark reminder of the unequal burden that climate change places on the most vulnerable members of society.

The rise in child marriage is a violation of human rights and a setback in the global fight against gender inequality. Despite legal frameworks aimed at preventing child marriage, such practices persist, driven by the harsh realities of climate-induced poverty. 

The situation in Pakistan reflects a larger global trend where climate change exacerbates existing social inequalities and creates new forms of vulnerability.

Pakistan’s struggle with climate change and its devastating social consequences underscores the urgent need for global action. The international community must recognize its role in contributing to global warming and take responsibility for mitigating its effects.

Moreover, there is a pressing need for policies and programs that address the root causes of child marriage in climate-affected regions. This includes ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for women and girls, as well as raising awareness about the harms of child marriage. 

The intersection of climate change and child marriage in Pakistan is a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. 

We cannot afford to ignore the human cost of climate change, nor can we turn a blind eye to the social injustices it perpetuates. 

As the planet continues to warm, the need for a coordinated global response to address both the environmental and social dimensions of this crisis has never been more critical. 

The future of millions of vulnerable girls hangs in the balance, and it is a collective responsibility to ensure they have the chance to lead lives free from poverty, exploitation, and fear.

Additional input from AFP. 

The writer is an investigative journalist based in Islamabad, a visiting lecturer, and the editor of PenPK.com. She tweets @thepenpk.