Constitutional court outlaws child marriages

The ruling renders section 22(1) of the Marriage Act unconstitutional. This therefore means that no person male or female may enter into any type of marriage before attaining 18 years. The Forum has always maintained that child marriages, whether for religious purposes or other, are a violation of children’s rights. In light of this ruling, the Forum urges the government to align the Marriage Act with the Constitution and also align other outstanding domestic laws to protect and promote human rights for all.