Seyaj Organization for Childhood Protection renewed its call on the Yemeni Parliament to pass a law establishing a safe age for the marriage of girls.
The organization called for a gradual legal approach to the age of marriage, allowing judges or the competent legal authority to assess the best interests of the girl within the range of 16 to 18 years. Any marriage below that age, it said, should be treated as a crime punishable for the guardian, the husband, and the marriage registrar.
Seyaj also called on the government to put in place clear and practical mechanisms to address the factors that contribute to child marriage, including weaknesses in civil registration, barriers to girls’ education, low public awareness, and harmful social attitudes.
The organization praised the work of the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Human Rights, along with other national and international institutions, on this issue.
Seyaj reiterated its call for legislation on a safe age of marriage that takes into account both gradual implementation and the best interests of girls.
Seyaj – Sana’a – 27 April 2014.
