by Areej Abuqudairi | Apr 29, 2013 | JORDAN TIMES

AMMAN — Activists and civil society groups warned that the practice of early marriage persists despite an amendment to the Personal Status Law in 2002, which changed the legal age of marriage from 15 to 18.

“We are talking about one out of ten Jordanian girls married below the age of 18. This means that it is a phenomenon we must combat, given all the consequences early marriages have on girls,” Munir Idiabes, executive director of the Amman-based Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI/J) told The Jordan Times in a telephone interview.

Early marriages could have “adverse consequences” on girls, noted human rights activist Inaam Asha.

“Often, girls have to drop out of school to get married. This interruption in education is a violation of their rights, which affects their chances for decent employment in the future. Let alone all the health risks resulting from early pregnancies and labour,” she told The Jordan Times.

According to the Chief Islamic Justice Department’s (CIJD) annual report, marriages involving brides below the age of 18 constituted 12.6 per cent of marriages in 2011.

In 2010, early marriages comprised 10.1 per cent of marriages registered that year, according to a statement released by SIGI/J, citing UNFPA figures.

Until the year 2001, the legal age for marriage in Jordan was 15 for girls and 16 for boys, Asha explained, but following demands by civil society groups and women’s rights activists, the law was amended so the minimum age for both boys and girls is now 18, she added.

The amended law, however, leaves room for exceptions for the marriage of boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 if the judge deems it would “benefit both spouses”.

The challenge is how “to verify” what is beneficial to both husband and wife, said Eva Abu Halaweh, executive director of the Mizan Law Group for Human Rights.

“It is really important that the judge makes an effort to ensure that both spouses, especially those below the age of 18, are eligible,” she told The Jordan Times.

“The exception is made for a few cases, and only if the judge ensures the girl’s rights are protected. This is the right age for education. If girls drop out to get married, how do we expect them to be able to create families and raise children?” she noted.

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According to the Chief Islamic Justice Department’s (CIJD) annual report, marriages involving brides below the age of 18 constituted 12.6 per cent of marriages in 2011 (MCT photo)