KUWAIT CITY, Feb 13: In a crucial legislative step aimed at ensuring family stability and protection of children’s rights, Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait revealed that the government has completed the amendment of Article 26 of Personal Status Law No. 51/1984 and Article 15 of Jaafari Personal Status Law No. 124/2019 to increase the minimum age of marriage to 18 years old. Al-Sumait told the newspaper that these amendments are in line with Kuwait’s international obligations, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. He cited statistics confirming the registration of 1,145 underage marriages in 2024 -- 1,079 girls and 66 boys.

It also showed that the rate of divorce among minors is double that of adults. He pointed out this confirms the importance of raising the marriage age to ensure that spouses reach a certain level of emotional and social maturity to enable them to bear the responsibilities of married life and contribute to building a stable and sustainable family. He disclosed that the amendments are based on the constitutional principles on the role of the State in protecting the family and childhood. He said Article Nine of the Constitution states that “the family is the foundation of society; while its foundations are religion, morality and love of the homeland. The law preserves its entity, strengthens its bonds, and protects motherhood and childhood.”

He explained: Article 10 of the Constitution emphasizes the State’s role in caring for the young; as it stipulates that “the State cares for the young and protects them from exploitation, moral, physical and spiritual neglect.” He said this legislative approach is in line with the Constitution; which puts the protection of the family, childhood and young people at the heart of the State’s responsibilities, while underscoring the need to provide a safe and stable environment for future generations. “The amendment of the two articles reflects Kuwait’s commitment to international standards that affirm the children’s right to be protected from early marriage,” he asserted. He added, “this decision is expected to contribute to enhancing the stability of the Kuwaiti family, reducing divorce rates and supporting social development; thus, achieving Kuwait’s vision of building a cohesive society, which protects the rights of its members and guarantees a decent life for them.”

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Exclusive Report