The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Justice has announced that under-18 years marriage has been prohibited in the country.
According to reports, 18 years has been set as the minimum age for marriage, in Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Sheikh Walid Al-Samaani, had issued the new directive on Tuesday, in a circular sent to all the courts across the country.
Child marriages have always been common in Saudi Arabia as many young girls are often married off before the age of 18 but, Saudi Arabias justice minister has made an important change.
The minister directed that marriage requests are to be referred to the specialised court to complete the formalities in line with the Child Protection Law and while implementing the established regulations.
Al-Samaanis actions are based on the paragraph (16/3) of the executive regulations of the country’s Child Protection Law, which says before conducting marriage contracts one has to make sure that marrying a person under the age of 18 will not harm him or her”.
