Early Marriage –A Barrier to Girls’ Education at Secondary Level in Tribal District Mohmand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study explored the factors responsible for early marriage in tribal district Mohmand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The main objectives of the study were to assess factors responsible for early marriage in tribal district Mohmand, to identify the effects of early marriage on girls’ education in tribal district Mohmand, to propose the strategies which can mitigate this practice of early marriage in tribal district Mohmand. Single-method design was used. Qualitative approach was used. Semi-structure interview was used for data collection. Population was all the female students who were studying in schools and at the meantime, they were married in early age and due to this marriage, they left the school in tribal district Mohmand. Purposive sampling technique was used. A sample of thirty female students was taken from three tehsils of tribal district Mohmand for this study. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. It was found that majority of the girls responded that the main factors of our early marriage were poverty, socio-cultural norms and illiteracy of parents. Similarly, majority of the girls responded that after marriage, they were compelled to leave school. They proposed that parents and community may be given awareness in this regard and early marriage may be banned. It was recommended that government and other non-government organizations may take steps for convincing them to stop early marriage so that these girls may complete their education.