Egyptian Member of Parliament Abla El-Hawari has emphasized the need to discuss a law banning child marriage during the upcoming parliamentary session. She noted that the issue has started to spread in some border governorates and southern governorates, necessitating legislative intervention to address it. El-Hawari also stressed the importance of introducing a law on violence against women to the parliament, citing that several Arab countries have taken legislative steps in this regard.
The issue of child marriage has gained significant attention in Egypt, with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) recently holding a roundtable discussion on the legal and legislative aspects of the issue. The event was conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and aimed to promote national dialogue on ways to combat child marriage. The discussion included an overview of the national program to combat child marriage, as well as sessions on related policies and legislation.
The NCCM has been actively working to address the issue of child marriage, with its chairperson emphasizing that ending child marriage is a shared national responsibility that requires the involvement of all parties. She noted that the issue is not only related to the age of marriage but also affects children's basic rights to education, health, and protection from violence and exploitation. The Egyptian constitution and child protection laws clearly stipulate that individuals under the age of 18 are considered children and are entitled to full rights.
El-Hawari's call for a law banning child marriage comes as the issue continues to be a concern in Egypt. According to the NCCM, child marriage is a significant challenge in the country, with many children being married at a young age. The issue has serious consequences for the children involved, including limited access to education and healthcare, as well as increased vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
The Egyptian government has taken steps to address the issue of child marriage, including the development of a national program to combat the practice. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of child marriage and to provide support to affected children and families. El-Hawari's call for a law banning child marriage is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue.
The discussion on child marriage has also highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue, including education and awareness-raising efforts. Many experts argue that poverty and lack of education are significant factors contributing to child marriage, and that addressing these underlying issues is crucial to combating the practice.
The issue of child marriage remains a significant challenge in Egypt, with many children affected by the practice. El-Hawari's call for a law banning child marriage has sparked renewed debate on the issue, and it is expected that the parliament will discuss the proposal in the upcoming session. The outcome of this discussion is likely to have significant implications for the future of child protection in Egypt.
Key points
- Egyptian MP Abla El-Hawari urges parliament to discuss law banning child marriage in upcoming session.
