Unicef urges other states to raise marriage age to 18

 

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has welcomed Kedah’s move to raise the legal age for marriage among Muslim women from 16 to 18 and called on other states to follow suit.

This came after the Kedah state assembly on July 18 approved amendments to the state Islamic Family Enactment to raise the minimum marriage age.

However, Unicef said that more needs be done to safeguard the rights of girls.

"As Kedah joins Selangor on this important legislation for girls, Unicef urges other states to also raise their minimum age of marriage.

"The amendment, while an important first step, still allows Muslim girls below the age of 18 to be married with the permission of the Syariah Court and chief minister," it said in a statement today.

Therefore, Unicef called for a blanket ban on child marriage.

"In line with the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, we advocate for the minimum age of marriage to be 18 with or without parental consent and with no exceptions," it added.

Unicef pointed out that child marriages cut childhoods short.

"Those married as children often drop out of school, resigning them to a lifetime of limited economic prospects. Early pregnancy and childbirth carry serious health risks as well.

“Domestic violence and sexual exploitation are also more likely in child marriages," it elaborated.

In Malaysia, Unicef said, at least 1,500 children still marry every year.

It added that addressing child marriage requires the support of parents, teachers, young people, policymakers, legislators, as well as religious and community leaders.

Include vulnerable groups

It encouraged Putrajaya to provide the resources necessary to fully implement the National Strategic Plan in Handling the Causes of Child Marriage 2020-2025, as developed by the Women Family and Community Development Ministry.

This is meant to lay out a framework to eliminate child marriage by addressing low household income and poverty, lack of access to sexual reproductive health information and services, lack of access to education and poor school attendance, underlying social norms, gaps in the legal framework and in data on child marriage.

"Additionally, lack of access to basic services including education increases the risk of child marriage amongst migrant and refugee children, and Unicef urges inclusion of all children in programmes and policy action to eliminate child marriage," it said.

Kedah became the second state after Selangor to pass an amendment of enactment to raise the marriageable age for women from 16 to 18.

Kedah also raised the punishment for polygamy without court permission to one year in jail or an RM3,000 fine, compared to six months’ in jail or a fine of RM1,000 previously. - Mkini