Religious Leaders in Pakistan Unite to End Child Marriage through Mind-Heart Dialogue Training
Karachi, Pakistan | 29 October 2026 — Religions for Peace Pakistan, in collaboration with UNICEF and Religions for Peace Asia, convened a three-day Mind-Heart Dialogue (MHD) training on ending child marriage in Karachi from 27 to 29 October 2026, under the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) initiative.
The training brought together nearly 45 religious leaders and faith actors representing Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Parsi communities, including women and youth leaders. The gathering provided an opportunity for participants to examine the causes and consequences of child marriage, reflect on the role of religious teachings and community practices, and identify practical measures to strengthen the protection of children. Members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh also participated, contributing to discussions on the legal framework governing child marriage and the importance of cooperation between religious leaders, policymakers and government institutions.
A significant outcome of the training was the unanimous adoption of a Declaration on Ending Child Marriage in Pakistan, reaffirming the collective commitment of participating religious leaders to protect children's rights, dignity and well-being. The declaration calls for greater awareness of child marriage laws, stronger engagement with families and communities, and sustained collaboration among religious institutions, government authorities and child protection actors. Participants also developed 90-day action plans to translate their commitments into practical initiatives within their respective communities and institutions. Religions for Peace Pakistan has established a follow-up mechanism to facilitate continued coordination and monitor progress.
Building on the training, Religions for Peace Pakistan and UNICEF Pakistan have begun exploring opportunities for further collaboration, including expanding MHD trainings to districts with high prevalence of child marriage and strengthening engagement with religious leaders, marriage registrars and local authorities. The training marks an important step in advancing interreligious cooperation for children's protection in Pakistan and demonstrates the contribution of faith communities to addressing harmful practices through dialogue and collective action.
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