Saudi Arabia: Opposing Child Marriage

While the religious establishment still insists that there should be no lower age limit to child marriage in Saudi Arabia, opposition to child marriage is mounting from medical, human rights and even some religious quarters.

Of note:

A special report by the Saudi Health Ministry stated that child bride marriages were “one of the primary causes for the emergence of physical and psychological problems… [and for] the rising incidence of disease within the family and society, which are a burden on the health system.” Among the physical problems mentioned in the report were menstrual problems, infertility and vaginal tearing, as well as osteoporosis and frequent caesarian surgeries due to pregnancy and childbirth at a young age. As for psychological problems, the report stated that the early withdrawal of maternal love and the sudden termination of childhood caused anxiety and marital problems, among other difficulties.

Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry admits what the Ulema will not.

Rising Criticism of Child Bride Marriages in Saudi Arabia

Y. Admon (New Age Islam)

The Saudi press has lately been discussing the custom of child bride marriage, especially cases of middle-aged or elderly men taking prepubescent girls for their wives. The religious justification for this custom, which has been prevalent in Saudi Arabia and in many Muslim societies since the early Islamic era, is that the Prophet Muhammad married his wife ‘Aisha when she was only six years old.

Recent press reports on child bride marriage in Saudi Arabia sparked a wave of criticism among columnists and social activists, who called for abolishing the custom and for setting a minimum age for marriage in Saudi law. In response, on November 24, 2008, the Saudi Shura Council passed a resolution setting the legal age of majority at 18. However, the council refrained from explicitly defining this as the minimum age for marriage, reflecting the difficulty it faces in confronting this well-entrenched practice….