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Solomon Islands government moves to raise legal marriage age to 18

At the moment, someone can legally marry at 15 with parental consent. Photo: UNICEF/Naftalin The Solomon Islands government is making moves to raise the legal marriage age to 18. At the moment, someone can legally marry at 15 with parental consent, something that may change following a review of the Islanders' Marriage and Divorce Act. Additionally, children can be married in accordance with customary law, which provides no minimum marriage age. Local media reported that Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka told parliament this week that a proposed change in a section of the Act aims to align marriage laws with other legal matters, such as the voting age. He said the move is in line with international human rights standards and growing calls for stronger child protection laws. World Vision, ChildFund and Save the Children, as members of the Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (SIEVAP) Coalition, started the 'Make It 18' campaign to advocate for a change in the Marriage Act to set a minimum marriage age of 18. A report led by the coalition of charities said one in five girls in Solomon Islands is married before the age of 18, and this increases to one in four in rural areas. Around six percent of girls are married before the age of 15 in Solomon Islands. Save the Children advocacy and research director Jacqui Southey said there was widespread public support to increase the age. "There was consensus between children and adults, parents and community members that children's experiences should be playing with their friends, being at school, learning skills," Southey said. "They also thought that children getting married too young could lead to problems and we know that through the data that problems such as increased risk of domestic violence is a real concern, the inability to finish school, the inability to have good earnings prospects later in life and greater risk of exploitation." In June, the Koleasi Community Bylaw , developed in partnership with Hope Trust and Tearfund, came into force - explicitly prohibiting marriage under the age of 18. A breach carries a maximum fine of SI$1000. Penalties also apply for organising a forced marriage or harbouring someone against their will.