Pakistan Court Says Village Council to be Punished for Ordering 3-Year-Old Girl to Marry 14-Year-Old Boy

On Monday, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered that members of a village council be punished for ordering a 3-year-old girl to be given in marriage to a 14-year-old boy. This is apparently the same council, located in the eastern province of Punjab, that had ordered a woman to marry the younger brother of her alleged rapist.  The Council was following the ancient tradition of "vani," which is practiced in the tribal areas of Pakistan, where girls are given in marriage to settle a blood feud between two parties. The Supreme Court has arranged a process that will use local lawyers and committees who will hear complaints of "vani," so that a system can be set up to end the tradition.  Source.  Upi.com. For the complete story, please click here (last visited April 26, 2006, reo).