Aswat Masriya (Cairo)

Egypt: Council Halts Marriage Attempt of 14-Year-Old Girl

17 December 2012

A unit that is dedicated to battling human trafficking in Egypt has succeeded to halt an attempt of having a 14-year-old girl married.

The unit - that is part of the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood - made the young girl's father pledge he would not have his daughter married before she reaches the legal age.

Director of the unit, Azza Ashmaway, said that the council is coordinating with the general prosecution to enhance efforts to prevent the marriage of minors.

According to Article 31 of a law proposed in 2008, a marriage where one of the spouses is not at least 18 years of age is illegal.

The law also requires both partners to undergo medical checks prior the marriage to prevent the transmission of disease to each other or their future children.

All those who breach these regulations are to suffer legal action.

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