PARIS, France – As early marriages increase in some African nations, the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique on Monday approved a law that would prevent early marriages of teens in the country.
Edson Macuacua, the head of the Commission of Human Rights, Constitutional Affairs and Legality, told parliamentary members that with the law, there will be fewer girls dropping out of school and fewer girls forced to marry at an early age.
“It will ensure a full growth and development of the girls’ personality, which contributes to a more just society, where boys and girls enjoy equal opportunities,” said Macuacua.
Mozambique is among the top ten countries with the highest rate of early marriage where 48 percent of women got married before they were 18 years. Poverty is pointed out as one of the main determining factors of the phenomenon.
