Spain plans to raise marriage age to 16 years

MADRID: Spain is planning to raise the minimum legal marriageable age from 14 to 16 years, Health and Social Policy Minister Leire Pajín said Wednesday, the daily El País reported.

The Minister said a committee of experts, which is currently working on new legislation to protect children, was considering addressing the issue. However, no final decision has been taken, Pajín said.

The goal, according to Pajín, would raise to 16 the minimum age for marriage, considering that at that age young people "can make decisions about their bodies” with some considerations of the parents, as in the case of abortion. The abortion law allows women of 16 and 17 years to make decisions alone, but must inform the parent and that parent has to go to the clinic with them.

The minister added that the number of boys and girls who marry at such young age is "exceptional."

Since 2005, 1,265 women and 168 men under age got married, according to official statistics.

Last October, the UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended Spain to raise to 16 the minimum age for marriage.

(BNO NEWS )