Adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention of the Rights of the Child 2003, para. 20

Paragraph
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Paragraph text
The Committee is concerned that early marriage and pregnancy are significant factors in health problems related to sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS. Both the legal minimum age and actual age of marriage, particularly for girls, are still very low in several States parties. There are also non-health-related concerns: children who marry, especially girls, are often obliged to leave the education system and are marginalized from social activities. Further, in some States parties married children are legally considered adults, even if they are under 18, depriving them of all the special protection measures they are entitled under the Convention. The Committee strongly recommends that States parties review and, where necessary, reform their legislation and practice to increase the minimum age for marriage with and without parental consent to 18 years, for both girls and boys. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has made a similar recommendation (general comment No. 21 of 1994).
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Treaty bodies: CRC - Committee on the Rights of the Child
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Health
Person(s) affected
  • Adolescents
  • Boys
  • Children
  • Girls
  • Women
Year
2003
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CRC General Comment No. 4, Adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (2003), para. 20.
Paragraph number
20