EGYPT
EGYPT
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 15
PREVALENCE OF MARRIAGE BY AGE 18
FEMALE
2%
MALE
N/A
16%
0%
Year of data:
2021
Source:
EFHS 2021
Year of data:
2009
Source:
Survey of Young People 2009
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:
Persons and Family Law No. 126 2022
ABOUT THE LAW AND ANY EXCEPTIONS
Persons and Family Law No. 126 of 2008 (and the Child Law as amended by Law No. 126 of 2008) sets the legal marriage age at 18 for both men and women. However, this law does not criminalise the act of customary marriage (known as 'urfi marriages). Child marriages may be conducted as customary marriages, then registered with the state when the child spouse reaches the age of 18. In April 2022, the Egyptian Cabinet approved a draft law which would ban 'urfi marriages involving children, and penalise parents, the officiants, and any adults marrying minors. However, the draft law also included a 'rape' loophole: someone who has been found guilty of sexual molestation and rape under Egypt's Penal Code would be allowed to submit a petition to a judge for approval to register a marriage certificate for a person under 18. Despite cabinet approval, this has not yet passed into law.
CAN MARRIED OR PREGNANT GIRLS GO TO SCHOOL?
No explicit law prevents or protects the right to education for married, pregnant, or parenting girls.
IS THE COUNTRY A FRAGILE OR CONFLICT-AFFECTED STATE?
No
IS THE COUNTRY ONE OF THE 50 MOST CLIMATE-VULNERABLE STATES?
No
IS IT ONE OF THE 50 COUNTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY?
No
