THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
In October 2025, Somalia’s parliament voted to join an African agreement called the African Charter on the Rights and Welfarement says children shouldn’t get married before age 18. The vote passed overwhelmingly.
But almost immediately after, the government’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development made an important announcement. They would not follow parts of the agreement that conflict with Islamic law. Specifically, they said they would not enforce the minimum marriage age of 18.
The Real Situation
The truth is Somalia never really had strong laws against child marriage in the first place. Here’s what the data shows:
(1)About 35% of Somali women aged 20-24 were married before they turned 18
(2)Around 8% were married before age 15
(3)There is currently no legally defined minimum age for marriage in Somalia
This isn’t a new problem. It’s been happening for years due to poverty, conflict, cultural traditions, and the breakdown of government systems during decades of civil war.
Somalia has been using Islamic law (Sharia) and traditional customary law for family matters for decades. The country’s 2004 Transitional Federal Charter and the 2013 Provisional Constitution both recognize Islam as the state religion and Sharia as a source of law.
When the government says Islamic law takes priority, they’re arguing that marriage is allowed when a child reaches “religious maturity” (puberty) rather than at a specific age like 18. Some religious leaders interpret Islamic teachings to permit marriage once a girl reaches puberty, which can be as young as 10 or 11 years old.
Why Do Families Marry Off Young Girls?
The reasons are complex and heart-breaking:
(1) Poverty
Families struggling to survive see marriage as a way to reduce the number of mouths to feed or to receive a bride price (dowry) that helps them economically.
(2) Conflict and Insecurity
Somalia has experienced decades of civil war and instability. In displacement camps, families sometimes believe marrying off daughters will protect them from sexual violence or give them a male “protector.”
(3) Cultural Beliefs
In many communities, a girl’s value seen primarily in her ability to marry and have children. Education for girls is not always prioritized.
(4) Religious Interpretation
Some religious leaders support early marriage and are very influential in communities. When politicians try to pass laws setting minimum marriage ages, these leaders accuse them of “defying Islam” or “importing Western values.”
What Happens to These Girls?
The consequences are severe:
(1) Young brides face serious health risks during pregnancy and childbirth because their bodies aren’t fully developed
(2) They almost always drop out of school, losing any chance at education or economic independence
(3) They have little power in their marriages and are often much younger than their husbands
(4) Many suffer from domestic violence with no way to escape
The Tension Between International Standards and Local Beliefs
This is where it gets complicated. International human rights organizations, the United Nations, and many countries believe 18 should be the minimum marriage age everywhere. They see child marriage as a violation of children’s rights.
But Somalia’s government argues that international agreements cannot override their religious beliefs and constitutional foundation. They’re essentially saying: “We’ll protect children in ways that align with our interpretation of Islam, not necessarily in the way international treaties demand.”
The Bottom Line
What’s happening is a government prioritizing religious interpretation over international human rights standards when the two conflict.
The real question is: whose interpretation of Islam should prevail? Many Muslim scholars around the world support minimum marriage ages and argue that Islam requires protecting children from harm. But in Somalia, conservative religious leaders hold significant power, and politicians who challenge them face accusations of being anti-Islamic.
For the girls affected, the debate doesn’t matter much. Whether you call it religious law, cultural tradition, or government policy, the result is the same: thousands of young girls being married off before they’re physically, emotionally, or mentally ready, with devastating consequences for their health, education, and futures.
The path forward requires Somalia to find ways to protect children that respect local beliefs while meeting international standards, but right now, those two goals seem far apart.
References
1.https://www.mynigeria.com/NigeriaHomePage/NewsArchive/Somalia-reportedly-overturns-law-setting-minimum-marriage-age-to18-after-a-protest-broke-out-756892
2.https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-atlas/regions-and-countries/somalia/
3.https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-somalia-2022/2113-child-marriage-and-forced-marriage
4.https://www.horndaily.com/2025/10/07/somalias-child-brides-when-religion-silences-the-law/
