Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood bans 27 child-marriage attempt during Eid al Fitr

CAIRO – 6 May 2022: Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood announced, Thursday that they managed to prevent the marriage of 27 female child in several governorates during Eid al Fitr holyday.

 These governorates include: Giza, Sharqia, Dakahlia, Beheira, Alexandria, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut and Sohag", according to a statement issued by the Council.

Tariq Tawfiq, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, and the supervisor of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, stated that the General Department of Child Help in the Council received 27 reports about the families of children attempting to complete the procedures for their marriage during Eid Al-Fitr holiday.

Last September, Circulated photos for the engagement of two 12-years old children in Hawamdia city, Giza provoked the social media users and caused a wave of anger during the past two days.

According to Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the parent of the two children were summoned to prosecution after verifying the authenticity of the circulated photos and the whole incident upon a report issued to the Attorney General by the Council on the incident.

Secretary-General of the Council, Sahar Al-Sunbati said in statement, that the Child Support System received a notification on Saturday, via the hotline 16000, citing social media sites regarding the circulated photos of the two children.

After verifying the incident, the two children’s parents were under investigation as they pledged legally to take good care of the two children and not to complete the marriage until after they reach the legal age.

Sunbati condemned the incident, stressing that it is a flagrant violation of the provision of Article 80 of the Constitution, which includes the state’s obligation to care for children and protect them from all forms of violence, abuse and ill-treatment, and what was decided by Article 96 of Child Law No. 12 of 1996, as amended by law. No. 126 of 2008 regarding cases of child endangerment.

The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood called on citizens to report any cases or incidents that endanger children through their hotline or social media.

The Public Prosecution also affirmed taking all measures to provide all means of support and protection for children.