KUWAIT: CHILD MARRIAGE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001033

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/IWI KHADIAGALA AND NEA/ARPI BERNS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI ECON ELAB SCUL KWMN KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT: CHILD MARRIAGE

REF: STATE 36341


1. Article 26 of the Kuwaiti personal status law stipulates
that the minimum age for GOK authentication of a marriage
between two Kuwaiti citizens is 15 years for a woman and 17
years for a man. The woman, regardless of age, requires the
consent of a male guardian -- father, eldest brother, uncle,
etc. -- to wed for the first time. For non-citizens, who
represent approximately 65% of residents in Kuwait, the
woman's minimum age depends on the marriage law of her
country of citizenship. Likewise, the man's national law will
determine his minimum age.


2. A mid-level Ministry of Justice official estimated the
incidence of underage marriage ranges from 2-3% of total
marriages in Kuwait. He said the practice occurs primarily in
rural desert areas among the Bedouin community. Many are
ignorant of marriage law, which may result in unintentional
underage unions. In other instances, the official commented,
rural residents claim ignorance but proceed with marriage
regardless. The GOK attempts to educate the rural community
via the Ministry of Religious Endowment and Islam Affairs and
through imams in local mosques.


3. There are no U.S.-funded initiatives addressing underage
marriage underway in Kuwait. Potential public awareness
programs that target the rural population could be helpful in
reducing the incidence of child marriage although the problem
does not appear significant in Kuwait.
LEBARON