Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ABUDHABI1153
2005-03-13 11:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE UAE
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 12/06/2006 03:11:47 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: UNCLAS ABU DHABI 01153 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: PAO MEPI RSO AMB DCM P/M ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:MSISON DRAFTED: POL:RBASSIL CLEARED: POL:JFMAYBURY PA: HOLSIN-WINDECKER VZCZCADI492 RR RUEHC DE RUEHAD #1153 0721121 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131121Z MAR 05 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8677
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001153
SIPDIS
STATE FOR G/IWI (L. KHADIAGALA)
ALSO FOR DRL, NEA/PI, AND NEA/ARPI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ELAB PHUM PGOV SCUL SOCI KWMN TC
SUBJECT: CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE UAE
REF: STATE 36341
POST CONSULTED WITH THE UAE GENERAL WOMEN'S UNION (GWU),A
GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED UMBRELLA WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION, ABOUT THE
ISSUE OF CHILD MARRIAGE. FOLLOWING ARE POST'S RESPONSES TO
REFTEL QUESTIONS REGARDING CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE UAE:
A) LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE: THE LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE IN THE UAE
IS 18 YEARS FOR FEMALES AND 21 YEARS FOR MALES. THERE IS NO
LOWER LEGAL AGE FOR MARRIAGE WITH PARENTAL CONSENT. HOWEVER,
ACCORDING TO GWU, UNDERAGE MARRIAGES TAKE PLACE, BUT THE
DETERMINING FACTORS ARE THE MATURITY OF THE COUPLE AND PARENTAL
CONSENT.
B) EXTENSION OF PROBLEM: ACCORDING TO GWU, UNDERAGE MARRIAGE IN
THE UAE IS CURRENTLY NOT DEEMED TO BE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM, AS
IT HAS CONSIDERABLY DECLINED DUE TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE
COUNTRY AND THE SPREAD OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH
MEN AND WOMEN. GWU STATED THAT "LATE" MARRIAGE IS NOW THE
TREND IN THE UAE AND THAT WOMEN OFTEN WAIT UNTIL THEY FINISH
COLLEGE. THREE DECADES AGO, UAE NATIONALS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN,
DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION, AND ACCORDING TO AN EMBASSY
CONTACT WHO IS A RESEARCHER AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, GIRLS
THEN WERE MARRIED AT THE AGE OF 13 AND BOYS AT THE AGE OF 16.
ACCORDING TO GWU, CHILD MARRIAGE HAS NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND
SOCIAL IMPACT ON THE CHILD. THE PHYSICAL IMMATURITY OF GIRLS
IS ALSO AN ADVERSE EFFECT.
C) U.S.-FUNDED INITIATIVES: THERE ARE NO CURRENT U.S.-FUNDED
INITIATIVES IN THE UAE THAT AIM TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE, OR
ADDRESS THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS, OF CHILD MARRIAGE. GWU, THROUGH
ITS AFFILIATED WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE EMIRATES, HAS
ORGANIZED A NUMBER OF AWARENESS PROGRAMS ON THE ISSUE OF
MARRIAGE, INCLUDING UNDERAGE MARRIAGE. THE UAE MARRIAGE FUND,
AS WELL AS MATERNITY AND CHILD CENTERS, ALSO SPREAD AWARENESS
ON THIS ISSUE. ANY U.S.-FUNDED INITIATIVE COULD BUILD ON THE
EFFORTS ON THE GWU OR OTHER NGO'S.
SISON