Yemen's Response to Child Brides
A Response Press Statement
16-09-2009
We were profoundly saddened to hear the news of the death of the young Yemeni girl, Fawzeya Abdullah Yousef (age 12). Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased. Over the years, the government of Yemen has embarked on an awareness campaign to end the practice of young marriages, which has been deeply rooted in the rural cultures of Yemen. Furthermore, the government of Yemen introduced to Parliament a proposed amendment to the Marriage Law, in order to raise the minimum marriage age to 17. Unfortunately, prior to the ratification of the amendments by the Honorable President Ali Abdullah Saleh, members of the conservative block in the Parliament have rescinded the proposed amendments to allow for further deliberations. It is anticipated that the matter will be finalized in the near future, and it is deemed an important priority of the government. It is worth noting too, that there have been recent efforts from the Ministry of Health in cooperation with World Bank to also establish emergency labor clinics in rural villages with the aim of reducing infant and maternity mortality.
Mohammed Albasha
Spokesman
Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
Washington, D.C.
