On Tuesday, August 3, 2010 the Malacca Islamic Council agreed to allow male Muslims below 18 and female Muslims below 16 in the state to marry, subject to gaining the permission of the Syariah Court as well as their families. The main reason given for this decision was to reduce the number of cases involving babies born out of wedlock and the growing number of cases of adultery.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) strongly criticised the decision which was reportedly spurred on under the presumption that it will help reduce the number of babies born out of wedlock.
Other concerns voiced by SIS include the negative impact of child marriages on the well-being of minors and their educational and economic opportunities.
“Instead of encouraging child marriages, the state government should support the establishment of sexuality education and awareness – raising for students to empower them to make choices based on knowledge of their rights and mutual respect,” SIS said. (newsdesk@thesundaily.com, August 6 2010)
“Child marriage amounts to paedophilia. We should not condone child marriages,” Ivy Josiah, executive director of leading activist group Women’s Aid Organisation said.
Josiah said that Malaysia recognises those aged under 18 years as children, and that allowing them to marry early would deprive them of an education and the right to choose a partner.
“It is a knee-jerk reaction. It is turning back the clock,” she said.
(malacca@thestar.com.my, August 5 2010)
It is encouraging to note that the Malacca government plans to open a special school for pregnant girls, irrespective of their marital status.
However, it is with the allowing of Muslim girls under the age of 16 to marry that I am most deeply concerned.
Over now to a Malaysian mother, who has a daughter aged 23, to express her views on this situation:
“To task children with the responsibilities of marriage when they are not ready to be adults, is going backwards into the dark ages”
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
