Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique ready to abolish marriage at age 16

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Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique ready to abolish marriage at age 16

12:26 CAT | 22 Dec 2017

In file CoM

Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique Veronica Macamo said on Thursday that parliament was willing to remove the legal clause that provides for civil marriage at the age of 16, and called for an end to premature marriages.

Macamo was speaking about the legislative challenges the body will face next year.

“There is consensus, both in the Assembly and in society in general, that the age of marriage should be raised from 16 to 18 years,” Macamo declared.

Mozambican society should not tolerate early marriage, she continued.

The Mozambican Family Law imposes a minimum age of 18 years, but with an exception that allows the marriage of 16 or 17-year-olds in “circumstances of recognized public and family interest and consent of parents or legal representatives”.

Several Mozambican civil society organizations have deplored the fact that Mozambican Family Law stipulates the possibility of marriage at 16 years of age, maintaining that this proviso de facto provides for premature marriage.

Critics say that young girls are forced to marry older men, exposing themselves to all sorts of violence and compromising their future.

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Human Rights and Legality of the Assembly of the Republic have been listening to public opinion submissions on the matter, within the framework of efforts that could culminate in a specific revision of the law regarding marital age.