ADDRESSING THE CHILD MARRIAGE CONCERN THROUGH VIDEO ART: QAFAS

Abstract

Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child. It has a direct impact on education, health, psychological well-being of girls, as well as the health of their children.  According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), up to three per cent of girls in Pakistan are married before they reach the age of 15, and 21 per cent are married before they turn 18. The awareness of such sensitive social issues is mandatory. Therefore, Qafas; a video art piece depicting child marriage as an act of violence has been created. The video can be used to leave an impact on our society or any other society who aims to axe child marriage from the world. The objective of “UNICEF for every Child” has been kept in a spotlight throughout, therefore, this art piece is not only for national but also international viewers and policy makers.