Kuwait Raises Minimum Marriage Age to 18 to Protect Children's Rights and Strengthen Family Stability

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Kuwait has officially raised the minimum age for marriage to 18, following a series of legislative amendments aimed at protecting children's rights and ensuring greater family stability, announced Minister of Justice Nasser Al Sumait.

The government has finalized changes to Article 26 of Personal Status Law No. 51/1984 and Article 15 of Jaafari Personal Status Law No. 124/2019, making it illegal for any marriage to take place before the age of 18. This significant move aligns with Kuwait’s international obligations under key conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

In his announcement, Al Sumait highlighted alarming statistics on child marriage in the country. A total of 1,145 underage marriages were registered in 2024, with 1,079 involving girls and 66 involving boys.

The minister emphasized that this legal reform is consistent with Kuwait's constitutional commitment to protecting families and children. Article 9 of the Constitution designates the family as "the foundation of society" and mandates the state's protection of motherhood and childhood, while Article 10 reinforces the government’s duty to prevent the exploitation and neglect of minors.

Al Sumait explained that raising the marriage age is a crucial step in safeguarding young people, reducing divorce rates, and promoting overall family stability. Research also indicates that divorce rates among minors are twice as high as those among adults, further highlighting the need for this legislative change to ensure that individuals reach emotional and social maturity before entering marriage.

This reform marks a significant shift in Kuwait’s approach to child protection and family well-being, underscoring the government's commitment to upholding human rights and promoting a stronger, healthier society.