Legal marriage age for females still 18, but minor girls can marry in ‘special situations’

The government on Thursday approved a law to fix the legal age for marrying for men and women.

The age for men was fixed at 21 and for women 18.

But the law will provide for marriage of minor girls in ‘special circumstances’, after they secure consent from court and parents.

The draft of ‘Prohibition of Child Marriage Act - 2016’ received the final approval at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam later told reporters that the age limits, previously fixed,  have been retained.  

“But in special situations, for the best interest of a minor girl, she can be married with consent of court and her parents.”

The law does not specify an age limit for these special circumstances, he said.

But the punishment and fine for child marriage has been increased.

“For example, if there is an unmarried mother, who has a child... if there is a case like that... then this provision will provide protection. There can be a lot of situations that lead to marriages like this. This process is aimed at legalising them,” said the cabinet secretary.        

He said there was no set definition for the ‘special provision’.

“In our county they get pregnant after running away at age 10 and 11. There are these problems, so this is the solution.” 

Special provision

Whatever is said in the other parts of this act, if a minor girl, in some special circumstances, is married for her best interest with consent from court and her parents, then it will not be considered a crime under this law.