Launch of The Situation of Marriage Under the Age of 18 in Jordan

Ayla Qawas, Basema Abu Shammaleh, and Tshepo Tlhacoane were in attendance as the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), in Partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched The Situation of Marriage Under the Age of 18 in Jordan.

This study sought to shed light on the reality of child marriages in Jordan, along with analyzing the legislative, economic, and social factors that contribute to its continuation in order to guide future programmes and policies.

Some of the key findings of the study were:

1. Child marriage in Jordan declined from 11.8% in 2020 to 8% in 2024.
2. Child marriage is a complex issue involving legislative, social, economic, and cultural dimensions, and that it cannot be addressed in isolation from the general societal context.
3. Societal and family pressures are the most influential factors in the decision to marry girls before the age of 18.
4. Economic pressures contribute to the practice of child marriage.
5. Education can combat the practice of child marriage through creating awareness about the effects of child marriage, and schools can also serve as locations where information about preventative measures can be disseminated.

In his speech, the Secretary-General of NCFA, Dr. Mohammad Miqdadi praised the efforts to reduce child marriages in Jordan, but warned against complacency. He also spoke about how child marriage adversely impacted girl children’s future opportunities, and that education, particularly the completion of secondary education, is one of the most effective ways to combat child marriage.

In his address, the Jordan Country Representative of UNFPA, Mr. Himyar Abdulmoghni described the reduction of child marriages as a national achievement, although challenges remain. He also spoke about the importance of reaching vulnerable populations and providing them with viable alternatives.

The event also contained a panel discussion with officials from the Department of the Chief Justice, the Ministry of Education, and the Institute for Family Health. 

The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies welcomes this study by NCFA and UNFPA. The practice of child marriage is contrary to a number of our priorities, most directly to women and youth rights, and indirectly to the rights to think, speak and participation. We believe that marriage should be entered into when parties are physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and legally mature, and we call on all relevant parties to progress the goals of the National Plan to Reduce Marriage of those Under the Age of Eighteen.