ETHIOPIA

The Family Code sets the minimum age at 18, but the Minister of Justice may grant dispensation for marriages from the age of 16. The Criminal Code makes child and forced marriage a crime with custodial sentences, up to seven years where the child is below the age of 13 or up to 3 years if the child is 13-17. The minimum ages also apply to religious and customary marriages, but such marriages are legally recognised regardless of the ages of the spouses.