Hundreds of underage girls married for a second time in 2019

Jordan

Published: 2020-08-20 10:24

Last Updated: 2024-03-23 16:55


Hundreds of underage girls married for a second time in 2019
Hundreds of underage girls married for a second time in 2019

A total of 406 underage divorced girls and 43 widowed female minors got married for the second time in 2019, all before their 18th birthday.

A total of 7,224 underage girls and 295 boys got married in 2019.

More than 300 girls got divorced and married for a second time between the ages of 15 and 17, while only six divorced underage boys, of the same age range, got married again.

According to the Solidarity is Global Institute in Jordan (SIGI), a total of 65 of those girls are at least 17 years younger than their husbands; 53 are between 17 and 21 years younger, nine are between 22 and 26 years younger, two are between 27 and 31 years younger and one is 32 years younger.

There is a clear violation of legal instructions issued by the Supreme Judge Department allowing a maximum 15-year age gap.

Approximately 4,300 divorced females between 18 and 24 years of age got married for the second time, compared to 1,104 males of the same age group.

According to SIGI, these numbers call for a study to determine the reasons behind early marriage and divorce, and ways to tackle this issue.

SIGI said the maximum age difference of 15 years is a lot and should not exceed 10 years.

It is calling for no more leniency in terms of violating restrictions — the lack of one or more marriage conditions should be enough to not grant a couple, involving a minor, the permission to marry.

SIGI also called for clear punishment guidelines for people who violate these instructions, something which does not exist currently.