Bobby.
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Australian Politics
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Google AI:
Child marriage is legal and prevalent in Iran, driven by a combination of religious law, poverty, and cultural norms. The official minimum age for marriage is 13 for girls and 15 for boys, but marriages at younger ages are permitted with a father's or paternal grandfather's consent and a court order.
Legal Framework Minimum Age: The Iranian Civil Code, amended in 2002, sets the legal age of marriage at 13 full solar years for girls and 15 for boys.
Exceptions: Marriage below these ages is possible with the permission of the male legal guardian (father or paternal grandfather) and the approval of a relevant court, effectively meaning there is no absolute minimum age for marriage.
Lack of Reform: Attempts to raise the legal age to 18 for both genders have been blocked by hardline officials, who argue such changes contradict Islamic jurisdiction.
International Commitments: Iran has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as under 18, but made reservations to articles deemed contrary to Sharia law.
Prevalence and Statistics Official Figures: Official statistics show thousands of child marriages annually. In 2022, approximately 27,000 marriages of girls under the age of 15 were registered. Between 2021 and 2022, there were at least 27,448 recorded marriages of children below the age of 15.
Unregistered Marriages: The actual prevalence is believed to be higher because many marriages, particularly in rural and tribal areas, are not officially registered, or registration is delayed to circumvent the law.
High-Risk Areas: The practice is especially prevalent in marginalized and economically deprived provinces, such as Sistan and Baluchestan, North Khorasan, and Razavi Khorasan.
Recent Trends: After a period of relative decline, the rates of child marriage and motherhood began to rise again from 2019 onward, with officials ordering the suspension of detailed statistical reporting in 2023.
Driving Factors and Consequences
Poverty: Economic hardship is a major driver, as some families marry off their daughters for money or to reduce the number of mouths to feed. The government even offers marriage loans to young couples, which acts as an additional incentive.
Gender Inequality and Harmful Practices: Child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and patriarchal norms. It can take forms such as "blood marriages" to resolve feuds or "naval string marriages" where a girl is pledged to a cousin at birth.
Lack of Education: Child marriage often leads to girls dropping out of school, which limits their future opportunities and perpetuates a cycle of poverty.
Health and Well-being: Child brides face significant physical and mental health risks due to early pregnancy, domestic abuse, social isolation, and a lack of access to healthcare.
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