Unregistered marriages: how they leave girls without legal protection
Many child marriages take place quietly, without being registered with the authorities. The marriage may be agreed within the family or by local custom. On paper, it does not exist.
Why child marriages go unregistered
Where the law sets a minimum age of marriage, some families avoid registration to get around it. In other places, the registry office is far away or costly, or registration is simply not the custom.
What this means for the girl
A girl in an unregistered marriage has very little legal protection. If she is abandoned, divorced or widowed, she may struggle to claim maintenance, housing or her inheritance. If she faces violence, it can be harder for her to turn to the courts.
What this means for her children
Children born in an unregistered marriage may have difficulty obtaining birth certificates. Their parentage can be disputed. This can affect their access to school and health care, and their right to inherit.
What can change
- Every marriage should be registered, with proof of the age of both spouses.
- Registration should be simple, close to home and affordable.
- Officials and religious leaders should refuse to conduct the marriages of children.
- Girls and women in unregistered marriages should have access to legal help.
Protection starts with awareness
Many families do not know the risks of an unregistered marriage. Clear information can help parents see that registration and a lawful age protect their daughter and their grandchildren.
A marriage that the law can see is a marriage in which a woman's rights can be defended.