With the support of the Norway Embassy, PODA Pakistan Lahore organized a one-day training for Nikah Khawans, Marriage Registrars and Union Council secretaries in district Sheikhupura in Punjab. The training was held on 29 may for 32 participants from 5 Union Councils. The trainees shared the problems they face in Rural communities such as pressure from family members to conduct underage marriages and to forgo CNIC requirements. “I was threatened with a knife when I refused to perform Nikah of a 17-year-old boy”, said one Nikah Khawan adding that often even the police do not help them.PODA trainers shared the recent judgement of the Lahore High Court that has made CNIC an essential requirement for Nikah and marriage registration. The 32 trainees supported the amendment in the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2015 to raise the minimum age of marriage for girls to 18 years and CNIC as a mandatory condition. They were motivated to work with PODA to reduce early marriages in their district. The training also shared information about girl’s rights education and SRHR.