Latest items for AOM-LAW-1
Dec. 17, 2024, 8:09 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Rights advocates are alarmed by a bill introduced to Iraq’s parliament that, they fear, would roll back women’s rights and increase underage marriage in the deeply patriarchal society. The bill would allow citizens to choose from religious authorities or the civil judiciary to decide on family affairs. Critics fear this would lead to a slashing of rights in matters of inheritance, divorce and child custody. In particular, they are worried it would effectively scrap the minimum age for Muslim girls to marry, which is set in the 1959 Personal Status Law at 18 — charges lawmakers supporting the changes have denied" (para 1-3). "The new bill gives Shiite and Sunni...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Rights advocates are alarmed by a bill introduced to Iraq’s parliament that, they fear, would roll back women’s rights and increase underage marriage in the deeply patriarchal society. The bill would allow citizens to choose from religious authorities or the civil judiciary to decide on family affairs. Critics fear this would lead to a slashing of rights in matters of inheritance, divorce and child custody. In particular, they are worried it would effectively scrap the minimum age for Muslim girls to marry, which is set in the 1959 Personal Status Law at 18 — charges lawmakers supporting the changes have denied" (para 1-3). "The new bill gives Shiite and Sunni...more
Dec. 13, 2024, 10:34 p.m.
Countries: Australia
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal marriage age in Australia is 18 but a child aged upwards from 16 can marry with a court's consent" (para 6).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal marriage age in Australia is 18 but a child aged upwards from 16 can marry with a court's consent" (para 6).
Dec. 13, 2024, 3:32 p.m.
Countries: Sierra Leone
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The president of the small West African country of Sierra Leone signed a law on Tuesday that banned marriage for children age 18 and younger and would impose steep fines on adult spouses" (para 1). "The new legislation goes further than many other similar laws in Africa, experts said, by penalizing people who enable the marriage — like the parents, the officiant and even the wedding guests — in addition to the husband" (para 2). "Under the new law, those married as children can seek financial compensation. They also have a path out of their marriages: petitioning for an annulment" (para 4). "Under the new legislation, which went into effect...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The president of the small West African country of Sierra Leone signed a law on Tuesday that banned marriage for children age 18 and younger and would impose steep fines on adult spouses" (para 1). "The new legislation goes further than many other similar laws in Africa, experts said, by penalizing people who enable the marriage — like the parents, the officiant and even the wedding guests — in addition to the husband" (para 2). "Under the new law, those married as children can seek financial compensation. They also have a path out of their marriages: petitioning for an annulment" (para 4). "Under the new legislation, which went into effect...more
Dec. 10, 2024, 3:31 p.m.
Countries: Ghana
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18" (para 24).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal minimum age to get married in Ghana is 18" (para 24).
Dec. 6, 2024, 8:32 p.m.
Countries: Uganda
Variables: MARR-LAW-5, AOM-LAW-1, PW-LAW-1
"Child marriage was only banned in Uganda in 1995, while polygamy is allowed in the East African country - according to certain religious traditions" (para 11).
Variables: MARR-LAW-5, AOM-LAW-1, PW-LAW-1
"Child marriage was only banned in Uganda in 1995, while polygamy is allowed in the East African country - according to certain religious traditions" (para 11).
Dec. 6, 2024, 6:17 p.m.
Countries: Nepal
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Not only is that ironic, since child marriage itself is illegal, but worse, such a judgement could encourage more child marriages in Nepal if the message goes out that this would reduce the punishment for other offences such as statutory rape" (para 6). "[I]n Nepal, the legal age for marriage is 20, higher than the 18 that is usual in many other countries" (para 8).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Not only is that ironic, since child marriage itself is illegal, but worse, such a judgement could encourage more child marriages in Nepal if the message goes out that this would reduce the punishment for other offences such as statutory rape" (para 6). "[I]n Nepal, the legal age for marriage is 20, higher than the 18 that is usual in many other countries" (para 8).
Dec. 6, 2024, 6:13 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"AHA Foundation is delighted to share the news with you that just days ago, Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, signed a bill package banning child marriage in her state! In July, we were proud to report that some of the package had been passed, but the rest of it had to wait until September due to procedural technicalities. Now that the required bills have been signed, Michigan joins nine other states in taking a stand against this abusive practice" (para 1-2).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"AHA Foundation is delighted to share the news with you that just days ago, Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, signed a bill package banning child marriage in her state! In July, we were proud to report that some of the package had been passed, but the rest of it had to wait until September due to procedural technicalities. Now that the required bills have been signed, Michigan joins nine other states in taking a stand against this abusive practice" (para 1-2).
Dec. 6, 2024, 3:58 p.m.
Countries: Uganda
Variables: AOM-LAW-1, AOM-DATA-2
"Ugandan law prohibits child marriage, but more than a third of girls are married before 18. In eastern Uganda, the rate is more than 50%. Laws upholding customary and religious marriages for girls under 18 were declared unconstitutional in February" (para 21).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1, AOM-DATA-2
"Ugandan law prohibits child marriage, but more than a third of girls are married before 18. In eastern Uganda, the rate is more than 50%. Laws upholding customary and religious marriages for girls under 18 were declared unconstitutional in February" (para 21).
Dec. 6, 2024, 3:50 p.m.
Countries: Malawi
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Child marriage has been illegal in Malawi since 2017" (para 12).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Child marriage has been illegal in Malawi since 2017" (para 12).
Dec. 6, 2024, 10:34 a.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Child marriage will be banned in England and Wales after a new law raising the minimum legal age to 18 came into effect today (27 February). The new rules will mean that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be able to get married with their parents’ consent, as previously allowed. The move is designed to better protect children from forced marriages. Campaigners have hailed the law change – which will now make it an offence to arrange for under-18s to be married in any circumstances, regardless of whether any force was used – as a “huge leap forward”. The law covers both legally-recognised and informal “traditional” ceremonies. Anyone...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Child marriage will be banned in England and Wales after a new law raising the minimum legal age to 18 came into effect today (27 February). The new rules will mean that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be able to get married with their parents’ consent, as previously allowed. The move is designed to better protect children from forced marriages. Campaigners have hailed the law change – which will now make it an offence to arrange for under-18s to be married in any circumstances, regardless of whether any force was used – as a “huge leap forward”. The law covers both legally-recognised and informal “traditional” ceremonies. Anyone...more
Dec. 6, 2024, 10:20 a.m.
Countries: Zimbabwe
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Previously, girls could marry at age 16 in Zimbabwe while boys had to be 18. A Constitutional Court ruling led to law changes last year setting the legal age for marriage and sexual consent for both boys and girls at 18" (para 12).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Previously, girls could marry at age 16 in Zimbabwe while boys had to be 18. A Constitutional Court ruling led to law changes last year setting the legal age for marriage and sexual consent for both boys and girls at 18" (para 12).
Dec. 6, 2024, 10:03 a.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage today rises from 16 to 18. Under legislation passed last year but coming into force today, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer wed or enter a civil partnership in England or Wales. Until now they were able to do this as long as there was parental consent. The change, under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, is to better protect children from forced marriage. It means it is now a crime to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry under any circumstances, whether or not force was used. The law will also cover non-legally binding 'traditional' ceremonies which would still be...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage today rises from 16 to 18. Under legislation passed last year but coming into force today, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer wed or enter a civil partnership in England or Wales. Until now they were able to do this as long as there was parental consent. The change, under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, is to better protect children from forced marriage. It means it is now a crime to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry under any circumstances, whether or not force was used. The law will also cover non-legally binding 'traditional' ceremonies which would still be...more
Dec. 4, 2024, 4:42 p.m.
Countries: Malaysia
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
“'Although there are two states (Kedah and Selangor) who have amended their state constitution (against child marriage), but I am unsure how far they are being executed' [Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri]" (par. 4).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
“'Although there are two states (Kedah and Selangor) who have amended their state constitution (against child marriage), but I am unsure how far they are being executed' [Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri]" (par. 4).
Nov. 16, 2024, 3:52 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"A bill to prevent marriages in West Virginia under the age of 18 had died in a House committee, but then was resurrected and passed, but with a major change" (para 1). "But as time was running out last week before the end of session Saturday, an amendment was added to allow marriages at 16 and 17 with parental consent, but no marriages under 16 for any reason. Besides that, anyone wanting to marry someone who is 16 or 17 must be no more than four years older than the person they wish to marry" (para 3-4). "Anyone who wants to marry and is at least 16 years of age...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"A bill to prevent marriages in West Virginia under the age of 18 had died in a House committee, but then was resurrected and passed, but with a major change" (para 1). "But as time was running out last week before the end of session Saturday, an amendment was added to allow marriages at 16 and 17 with parental consent, but no marriages under 16 for any reason. Besides that, anyone wanting to marry someone who is 16 or 17 must be no more than four years older than the person they wish to marry" (para 3-4). "Anyone who wants to marry and is at least 16 years of age...more
Nov. 16, 2024, 3:52 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"A bill that would have prohibited minors from getting married in West Virginia was defeated Wednesday night in a legislative committee" (para 1). "Currently, children can marry as young as 16 in West Viginia with parental consent. Anyone younger than that also must get a judge's waiver" (para 4). "According to the nonprofit group Unchained At Last, which seeks to end forced and child marriage, seven states have set the minimum age for marriage at 18, all since 2018" (para 10).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"A bill that would have prohibited minors from getting married in West Virginia was defeated Wednesday night in a legislative committee" (para 1). "Currently, children can marry as young as 16 in West Viginia with parental consent. Anyone younger than that also must get a judge's waiver" (para 4). "According to the nonprofit group Unchained At Last, which seeks to end forced and child marriage, seven states have set the minimum age for marriage at 18, all since 2018" (para 10).
Nov. 16, 2024, 2:54 p.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The draft law stipulates that a marriage contract for a person who has not reached 18 years old may not be authenticated" (para 3). This indicates that under current law marriage contracts for those under 18 can be authenticated, hence the draft law aiming to change that (MB-CODER COMMENT).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The draft law stipulates that a marriage contract for a person who has not reached 18 years old may not be authenticated" (para 3). This indicates that under current law marriage contracts for those under 18 can be authenticated, hence the draft law aiming to change that (MB-CODER COMMENT).
Nov. 12, 2024, 1:32 p.m.
Countries: Latvia
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Under articles 32 and 33 of the Civil Law persons who are 16 years of age may marry with the consent of their parents or guardians if they marry a person of the age of majority" (14).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Under articles 32 and 33 of the Civil Law persons who are 16 years of age may marry with the consent of their parents or guardians if they marry a person of the age of majority" (14).
Oct. 9, 2024, 7:59 p.m.
Countries: Belize
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"No changes have been made to the Marriage Act since it was amended in August 2005. At the time, the age of marriage was adjusted from 14 to 16 years to match age of consent in Belize" (39).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"No changes have been made to the Marriage Act since it was amended in August 2005. At the time, the age of marriage was adjusted from 14 to 16 years to match age of consent in Belize" (39).
July 19, 2024, 9:09 p.m.
Countries: Sierra Leone
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
“Sierra Leone made history when the president signed into law the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024…It repeals previous ambiguous laws to explicitly name child marriage as illegal and underscores a clear commitment to girls’ rights. The legislation also establishes mechanisms for enforcement, ensuring that perpetrators – including the husband and those who enable the marriage such as parents and the person officiating – are held accountable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment, with survivors now able to seek justice and compensation” (1-2).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
“Sierra Leone made history when the president signed into law the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024…It repeals previous ambiguous laws to explicitly name child marriage as illegal and underscores a clear commitment to girls’ rights. The legislation also establishes mechanisms for enforcement, ensuring that perpetrators – including the husband and those who enable the marriage such as parents and the person officiating – are held accountable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment, with survivors now able to seek justice and compensation” (1-2).
July 18, 2024, 6:38 p.m.
Countries: Guatemala
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"With regard to the prohibition on marriage for minors under 18 years of age, the Supreme Court of Justice, in its decision No. 52-2018, abolished the power to consider requests to authorize marriages for minors under 18 years of age, and the related decision-making procedure" (35).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"With regard to the prohibition on marriage for minors under 18 years of age, the Supreme Court of Justice, in its decision No. 52-2018, abolished the power to consider requests to authorize marriages for minors under 18 years of age, and the related decision-making procedure" (35).
March 30, 2024, 2:46 p.m.
Countries: Lithuania
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[C]ourts are able to reduce the minimum age of consent for marriage from 18 years of age to 16 years of age or, exceptionally, even lower, when compelled by significant circumstances, including the pregnancy of the girl" (14).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[C]ourts are able to reduce the minimum age of consent for marriage from 18 years of age to 16 years of age or, exceptionally, even lower, when compelled by significant circumstances, including the pregnancy of the girl" (14).
March 15, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
Countries: Gabon
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[With regard to the civil code:] the minimum age [for marriage] will be 18 years for girls" (3). "[With regard to the penal code:] the minimum age of marriage will be harmonized at 18 years old for both girls and boys" (3). "The draft Children's Code adopted by Parliament in 2018 sets 18 years as the minimum age of marriage for girls and boys in Gabon" (29).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[With regard to the civil code:] the minimum age [for marriage] will be 18 years for girls" (3). "[With regard to the penal code:] the minimum age of marriage will be harmonized at 18 years old for both girls and boys" (3). "The draft Children's Code adopted by Parliament in 2018 sets 18 years as the minimum age of marriage for girls and boys in Gabon" (29).
Feb. 20, 2024, 6:27 p.m.
Countries: D R Congo
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[The revised Family Code] provides for a minimum age of marriage of 18 for both men and women" (17).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[The revised Family Code] provides for a minimum age of marriage of 18 for both men and women" (17).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"In terms of Section 45 of the Interpretation (Amendment) Act, 2013 the legal age of majority in Botswana is 18 years irrespective of sex. This effectively accords any such person locus standi to act in his/her name without any parental consent, save for persons who have been mentally incapacitated" (21). "The Interpretation Act has set the age of majority to 18 years entitling one at 18 to marry or be married without parental consent. An assessment of Primary and Secondary School dropouts indicates marriage as one of the reasons for a number of girls abandoning schooling which is a cause for concern that could also imply the existence of child...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"In terms of Section 45 of the Interpretation (Amendment) Act, 2013 the legal age of majority in Botswana is 18 years irrespective of sex. This effectively accords any such person locus standi to act in his/her name without any parental consent, save for persons who have been mentally incapacitated" (21). "The Interpretation Act has set the age of majority to 18 years entitling one at 18 to marry or be married without parental consent. An assessment of Primary and Secondary School dropouts indicates marriage as one of the reasons for a number of girls abandoning schooling which is a cause for concern that could also imply the existence of child...more
Jan. 4, 2024, 10:41 a.m.
Countries: Singapore
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Under the Women's Charter, the minimum legal age of marriage in Singapore is 18 years with parental consent. A person below 18 years of age wishing to get married has to apply for a Special Marriage License from MSF and attend a mandatory marriage preparation programme before he/she can marry" (40).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"Under the Women's Charter, the minimum legal age of marriage in Singapore is 18 years with parental consent. A person below 18 years of age wishing to get married has to apply for a Special Marriage License from MSF and attend a mandatory marriage preparation programme before he/she can marry" (40).
Oct. 4, 2023, 6:58 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[U]nder article 24 of the Family Code, the child and/or forced marriage of girls as young as 15 years of age is legal and permissible on an exceptional basis" (7).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"[U]nder article 24 of the Family Code, the child and/or forced marriage of girls as young as 15 years of age is legal and permissible on an exceptional basis" (7).
Sept. 25, 2023, 8:02 a.m.
Countries: Guyana
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage is 18, but boys and girls may marry at age 16 with parental consent or judicial authority" (9).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage is 18, but boys and girls may marry at age 16 with parental consent or judicial authority" (9).
Sept. 22, 2023, 8:51 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage with parental consent is 15 for girls and 16 for boys" (20).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal age for marriage with parental consent is 15 for girls and 16 for boys" (20).
Aug. 15, 2023, 5:22 p.m.
Countries: Bahamas
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal minimum age for marriage is 18, although minors may marry at 15 with parental permission" (13).
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The legal minimum age for marriage is 18, although minors may marry at 15 with parental permission" (13).
Aug. 15, 2023, 6:17 a.m.
Countries: Cote D'Ivoire
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The Committee welcomes the legislative and policy measures taken by the State party, including awareness-raising initiatives, to address harmful practices (CEDAW/C/CIV/4, paras. 92–93; and CEDAW/C/CIV/Q/4/Add.1, paras. 26–28). It is nevertheless concerned about: (a) The prevalence of child marriages resulting in early pregnancies and maternal mortality, the absence of regular assessments of national policies and plans to combat harmful practices, including the plan to accelerate the fight against child marriage and early pregnancy for the period 2013–2015, and the lack of information on efforts by the State party to collaborate with religious and traditional leaders" (7-8). "In line with joint general recommendation No. 31 of the Committee on the Elimination of...more
Variables: AOM-LAW-1
"The Committee welcomes the legislative and policy measures taken by the State party, including awareness-raising initiatives, to address harmful practices (CEDAW/C/CIV/4, paras. 92–93; and CEDAW/C/CIV/Q/4/Add.1, paras. 26–28). It is nevertheless concerned about: (a) The prevalence of child marriages resulting in early pregnancies and maternal mortality, the absence of regular assessments of national policies and plans to combat harmful practices, including the plan to accelerate the fight against child marriage and early pregnancy for the period 2013–2015, and the lack of information on efforts by the State party to collaborate with religious and traditional leaders" (7-8). "In line with joint general recommendation No. 31 of the Committee on the Elimination of...more