The United Kingdom has recently taken a monumental step in protecting the rights of children by raising the legal minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18. This means that 16 and 17 year olds will no longer be able to marry or enter into a civil marriage, even with parental consent. Conservative MP Pauline Latham, who introduced the bill, said that this is a historic day for campaigners who have worked tirelessly for over five years to ban child marriage in this country.
The United Nations defines child marriage as a formal marriage or informal union with a person under the age of 18. It is widely recognized as the age at which a person becomes an adult and receives full civil rights. The UN has set itself the goal of reducing child marriages to zero by 2030, and has noted that research shows that ending child marriage, allowing girls to complete their education, delay childbearing, find paid work and fulfill their potential, can generate billions of dollars in revenue and productivity.
The effects of child marriage are far-reaching and devastating. Girls become servants, sexual slaves, suffer violations of their rights to education, health and suffer physical and psychological violence. It leads to increased exposure to domestic violence, school dropout, early pregnancy, increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and feelings of anxiety stemming from isolation from family, friends, and social life. In England and Wales, arranging child marriages is punishable by up to seven years in jail.
In all EU Member States, the legal age of marriage is set at 18 years. However, many national laws contemplate the possibility of getting married before reaching the age of majority with the consent of the parents and/or of a judicial or administrative authority. In Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden it is not possible to get married before the age of 18.
In Serbia, marriage under the age of 18 is allowed with court permission. In Albania, the court of the place where the marriage was contracted may, if there are sufficient reasons, allow the marriage to take place before reaching the age of 18. In Ukraine, you have to be over 18 years old, prepare the documents and have no family ties to each other. In Moldova, persons may marry at the age of 16 with the consent of the local guardianship/guardianship authority and with the consent of the parents. In Georgia, a marriage certificate can be issued to 17-year-old boys and girls, under certain conditions.
The United Kingdom’s decision to raise the legal minimum age of marriage to 18 is a monumental step in protecting the rights of children. It is a move that will help protect millions of boys and girls in the coming years from exploitation and the harmful effects of forced and early marriages.