Child Marriage in the Middle East: Challenges and Legislative Efforts

Kuwait has raised the marriage age to 18 to combat child marriage, which remains a critical issue in the Middle East, especially in conflict zones. Despite international efforts, harmful practices persist due to socio-economic instability and cultural norms, exacerbated by wars in Yemen, Sudan, and Syria. Organizations like Oxfam strive to advocate for girls’ rights and raise awareness against early marriage.

In a significant step towards safeguarding children’s rights, Kuwait has raised the minimum age for marriage to 18, acknowledging the alarming rates of child marriage in the region. This change, enacted in February, took place under the Personal Status Law, responding to the reported 1,145 underage marriages in 2024, which affected primarily girls. The amendment aligns with Kuwait’s commitments under various international conventions aimed at protecting children and promoting gender equality.

The harmful nature of child marriage is recognized globally as a violation of human rights, primarily impacting girls’ opportunities for education and personal autonomy. Oxfam’s Middle East North Africa regional gender coordinator, Hadeel Qazzaz, emphasized that “Child marriage is a human rights violation. It impacts the life of the child”. This practice not only affects individual girls but also imposes broader societal consequences, as it perpetuates cycles of poverty and violence.

Research from Human Rights Watch indicates that married girls aged 15 to 19 are significantly more likely to experience violence, including domestic abuse and restricted access to education. Complications from early pregnancy are notably dangerous, with girls under 19 facing double the risk of mortality during childbirth compared to older women. This cycle of disadvantage severely limits their future prospects, often confining them to poverty.

The socio-economic ramifications of child marriage extend beyond the immediate individuals involved, with studies showing that eradicating this practice could enhance national economic growth significantly. Despite some countries in the region imposing a minimum marriage age of 18, exceptions often render these prohibitions ineffective. In Iraq, recent legal amendments could permit marriages under judicial interpretations, threatening to reverse progress on child marriage legislation.

The prevalence of child marriage in the Middle East and North Africa remains alarming, with UNICEF reporting that approximately 40 million child brides reside in the region. Conflict and socio-economic instability are key contributors, exacerbating vulnerabilities in societies such as Gaza and Yemen. Oxfam’s Qazzaz stated that conflict is a major factor in rising marriage rates, emphasizing that families often marry off daughters for perceived safety and financial stability.

The ongoing humanitarian crises in Yemen, where the civil war has hindered protective legislation, highlight the urgent need for intervention. UN agencies estimate that around 21.6 million individuals in Yemen require humanitarian assistance, with child marriage rates escalating due to economic pressures and cultural norms. Similarly, the conflict in Sudan has led to heightened child marriage rates, with alarming statistics preceding the ongoing civil war exacerbating existing issues.

In Syria, heightened displacement and conflict have resulted in a dramatic rise in child marriage, with approximately 41 percent of girls estimated to be married before age 18. This trend is fueled by traditional and socio-economic factors. Amidst these challenges, national governments and organizations like Oxfam endeavor to combat child marriage through advocacy and education programs, striving to elevate the minimum age of marriage and empower rights for girls and women throughout the region.

The rise of child marriage in the Middle East and North Africa is deeply intertwined with socio-political instability, cultural norms, and economic hardship. Although recent legislative efforts, such as those in Kuwait, aim to address and protect against this practice, significant challenges remain. The alarming rates of child marriage across various countries underscore the urgency for comprehensive strategies and interventions to uphold children’s rights, diminish gender-based violence, and build a more equitable society for future generations.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com