New York/Ndjamena, 21 July 2015 - Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) commends the National Assembly of Chad on the recent ratification of Ordinance N006/PR/2015 of 14 March 2015, which outlaws child marriage by enforcing 18 as the minimum legal age of marriage in the country. The bill was ratified with a vote of 127 in favor, 33 opposed, and 9 abstentions. According to the Ordinance, which also establishes accountability measures, adults taking part in the marriage of a minor are punishable with 5 to 10 years of imprisonment in addition to fines of 500,000 to 5 million francs. These penalties extend to civil authorities as well as religious and traditional leaders who play a role in the marriage of a minor.

This Ordinance is particularly important for Chad. According to UNICEF, the country ranks third worldwide with a prevalence rate of child marriage of 29% of girls married by age 15 and 68% married by age 18. Child marriage is a major roadblock to education for girls holding them back from reaching their full potential. Missing their chance to go to school increases their chances of perpetuating a cycle of poverty for their families, their community and overall, their country. Demographic dynamics are also negatively affected by this phenomenon, which is of a significant dimension in Sub-Saharan Africa, the only region of the world in which the demographic boom is considered by experts and relevant Agencies as a threat for human and sustainable development.[1]

PGA Member, Deputy Théophile Madjitoloum Yombombe shared that several strategies aided in passing the ordinance in Chad through the following statement:

“Parliamentarians found success by focusing on health risks that stem from child marriage as they advocated with their colleagues on the issue. They were also able to emphasize the benefit of enrolling girls in school by demonstrating the positive impact this proved to have on their parents and communities.

It is helpful to remind elected leaders that their role as legislators is devoid of religious influence and to reiterate their obligations under relevant international conventions,”

Parliamentarians in Chad also held an information day with medical experts, psychologists, and Law Enforcement Agencies to further inform their colleagues on the issue of child marriage.

PGA’s Parliamentary Campaign to End Child Marriage empowers MPs to address the practice from a human rights perspective and encourages an enabling environment for policy and legal change that protects the human rights of girls and women. Dep. Yombombe is one of dozens of Parliamentarians in Chad who have signed PGA’s Parliamentary Declaration to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage committing to implement measures to end child marriage and calling for a strong target in the post-2015 development framework that is in the final stages of negotiation at the United Nations. All Parliamentarians interested in endorsing and signing this Declaration are invited to do so by visiting the dedicated site www.pgaction.org/news/declaration-to-end-child-early-and-forced-marriage.html.

THE CAMPAIGN TO END CHILD, EARLY AND FORCED MARRIAGE RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM:

PGA receives core support from Sweden and Denmark

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Online access to PGA’s Parliamentary Campaign on CEFM at:

https://www.pgaction.org/gei/cefm/

For more information on the Campaign, please contact:
Ms. Mónica Adame
Senior Program Officer, Gender, Equality and Population Program
 E: monica.adame@pgaction.org
T: 1+646-762-7295