In a press release on Tuesday, Morsi said the bill is of great importance for combating the phenomenon of child marriage, especially among girls.

Child marriage is a flagrant violation of girls' rights as children under 18 years are not psychologically, culturally, mentally and physically qualified to raise a family, she noted.

The draft law, passed by the Cabinet earlier today, stipulates that any marriage contract for those who are under 18 years should not be certified by the marriage officer.

The bill states that children who get married or any person helping them to marry should be punished by imprisonment for a term of no less than one year, as well as a fine ranging between EGP 50,000 and EGP 200,000.

It also provides that any marriage officer who authorizes a contract for children under 18 years should be sacked, sentenced to a jail term of no less than six months and ordered to pay a fine of no less than EGP 20,000 and not more than EGP 50,000.