GABON
GABON
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 15
FEMALE
3%
MALE
N/A
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 18
13%
5%
Year of data:
2019-21
Source:
DHS 2019-21
Year of data:
2019-21
Source:
DHS 2019-21
LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE
18
18
LOWEST PERMITTED AGE OF MARRIAGE DUE TO EXCEPTIONS IN THE LAW
No minimum age
No minimum age
Law(s) which govern marriage and/or child marriage:
Law 006/2021 on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Civil Code amended 2021
ABOUT THE LAW AND ANY EXCEPTIONS
In 2021, Gabon established its law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which states that 18 is the minimum age for marriage. At the same time, the Civil Code was amended to reflect the new law, and the minimum age for marriage was raised from 15 to 18 for women. However, the Civil Code retained the provision that the President of the Republic or the President of the Supreme Court may approve marriages below the minimum age "for serious reasons", with no absolute minimum age. In addition, the Civil Code states that parental consent for marriage is required for anyone below the age of 21.
CAN MARRIED OR PREGNANT GIRLS GO TO SCHOOL?
The 2021 law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women included a responsibility for the Minister of Education to put in place measures to prevent school drop-out by pregnant girls. However, no clear provision is outlined other than this. In 2004, a government order on day-care centres included provision for children agd 3 months to 5 years to be included, with priority given to poorer mothers, to enable them to 'accomplish a given mission'. While this is not specifically aimed at girls who are in child marriages, it offers a way to support them to re-enter and stay in education after the birth of a child.