In a resolution on “an EU external strategy against early and forced marriages”, the European Parliament called on 4 July for all EU member states to raise marriage age to 18, to include prohibition of forced marriages in its legislation and to ensure enforcement of this ban.
Parliament calls on the EU to use its foreign and development cooperation policies to bring about similar changes in all partner third countries.
The Commission is asked to set up a European database on the situation in member states and in third countries to monitor a scourge affecting over 700 million children, mostly girls, across the globe. “This is an inhuman and reprehensible practice which Parliament has consistently condemned. In Sudan, for example, the marriage age is 10. Young girls forced into marriage cannot prevent it. What is needed is a strategy, an approach to change the rules of the game and set a clear course of action, and to agree on the means to be put in place”, said rapporteur Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg) on the eve of the vote. “What is needed is a strong, determined EU, strong partner states, no skimping on resources, a clear course and tangible, encouraging results, at the latest, by 2030”, the deadline set for achieving the sustainable development goals.
Empowering women and girls through education and protecting migrant girls and woman are among the measures recommended.
“Protecting girls is above all protecting European values and respect for human rights, respecting European law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights and international human rights law”, said European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, adding that the Parliament resolution would help achieve greater results. She went on to say that the EU had already stepped up work on external affairs. Ending forced and early marriages is a priority of the democracy and human rights action plan, she stated. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)