EGYPT

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.