\\\'Govt under pressure for lowering marriage age\\\'
Friday, 3 October 2014
The government has planned to lower the age limit for the marriage of girls and boys since it is under pressure from rural people as rural girls 'flee home' to get married, says a junior minister, reports UNB.
"Our Prime Minister (Hasina) is under pressure from rural areas to lower the age limit of marriage since rural adolescent girls flee home to get married," State Minister for Health and Family Affair Zahid Maleque told a discussion on Thursday.
He said the government is thinking of reducing the age limit of marriage for girls from 18 years to 16 years and for boys from 21 years to 18 years. "We're just considering the issue but yet to decide it."
The junior health minister said the government will hold consultations with civil society members and relevant stakeholders before taking the final decision in lowering the age limit for marriage.