Child marriage in Mali

Child Marriage in Mali. In 2017 in Mali, 52% of girls are married off before the 18 yo. 17% are married before they turn 15.[1] Mali is the 5th highest nation in the world for child marriage.

Despite a slight decrease in child marriage rates over the past 30 years, child marriage is still common across Mali with more than 1 in 2 girls married before their 18th birthday.[1]

There is a strong relationship between girls’ limited access to education and the prevalence of child marriage in Mali. More than 9 out of 10 married girls aged 15–19 cannot read at all.[1]

There is a clear link between polygyny and child marriage. Child brides are more likely to be a 2nd, 3rd or 4th wife. The younger a bride is in Mali, the less decision-making power they have over whether their marriage will be polygynous or monogamous.[1]

The Government of Mali passed the Personal and Family Code (2011) after much debate over the minimum age of marriage. However, Amnesty International argues that this code discriminates against women in almost all aspects of family life and perpetuates marital inequality.[1]

On On October 11, 2015, First Lady of Mali Keïta Aminata Maiga launched a national campaign to end the practice of child marriage in Mali.[2]

The legal age of marriage is 16 for girls and 18 for boys, but girls may be married under the age of 16 under customary and Sharia law.[1]

References
  1. "Child marriage around the world: MALI", Girls Not Brides
  2. "The Republic of Mali launches the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa". African Union. 2015-10-16. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
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