Almotamar.net - The Yemen Women Union YWU has expressed it regret and worry for the parliament decision to discuss anew the approval of legal articles regarding the personal status law, among then the safe marriage age which was presented on basis of 18 years and after discussion it was agreed to be 17 years.


In a statement issued Sunday, obtained by almotamar.net, the YWU said the female child who is less than 18 years is not fit for constructive marriage in terms of physical, mental, psychological and social aspects. It is against her rights granted to here by the Islamic law and those of education and reproduction in addition to the right to choose the form of her life and partner and future, otherwise it is considered an early coercive marriage.

The statement stressed the necessity of legalizing the marriage age of the minor as not all responsible parents are keen on preserving the dignity of their daughters and realize their legitimate rights. There must be a protection for childhood in general concerning marriage, education and care. And this requires enacting of laws and to discard rumination of history events and to work in compatibility with the age we are living. There must be laws guaranteeing freedom and protection for every individual and among them the marriage of young female children.

Leaderships of the YWU emphasized on approval of article 15 and defining the safe marriage age at 17 yea years , especially that Yemen is among the world countries suffering most from the problem of early marriage for both sexes and that is negatively reflected on social, health, economic and cultural aspects.

The YWU called on religious scholars and preachers to focus sustainable development and raise the society awareness about the woman rights, ending poverty and unemployment as well as tackling health and good governance instead of getting continuously preoccupied in issues of marriage and divorce of the woman.

The YWU statement also called on all Yemeni women to categorically approve the safe age of marriage at 17 years.