There are couples in Nghe An who got married when their children were only 12-13 years old.

This is the issue raised at the meeting between the Provincial People's Council's Culture - Social Committee and the Nghe An Provincial Ethnic Committee on the morning of April 2 regarding the situation of early marriage and incestuous marriage in the province.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Head of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Department chaired the meeting. Also attending were Ms. Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council and representatives of a number of relevant sectors and organizations. Mai Hoa

No cases have been processed yet.

Based on a survey by the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Committee, the situation of early marriage and incestuous marriage in localities is leading to many consequences, affecting population quality and the maintenance of the race.

The rate of malnutrition in children is high and the risk of increased mortality in children under 5 years old; children's rights are also not guaranteed due to early marriage, so they cannot register their marriage and children are born without birth certificates or health insurance cards...

Child marriage also means illiteracy as many children drop out of school and poverty.

According to the survey results of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council in the three districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, from 2015 to 2018, there were more than 713 child marriage couples, including 192 girls under 16 years old. There were more than 30 incestuous marriage couples.

It is worth noting that the number of child marriages is increasing every year and the age of child marriage is decreasing, from under 16 to under 18 years old, now there are couples getting married at the age of 12 - 13 years old.

Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Thi Lan said that although the law stipulates it, there has not been any case of illegal marriage being handled. Photo: Mai Hoa

At the meeting, representatives of the Provincial Ethnic Committee and a number of departments, branches and organizations affirmed their interest in implementing, propagating, mobilizing and combating child marriage and incestuous marriage in the province. However, the results have not been high, due to difficulties due to awareness and traditional customs of ethnic minorities.

However, according to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council, during the direct survey of a number of cases, the situation of child marriage occurred in the families of officials and civil servants; including the children of the Chairwoman of the Commune Women's Union, the Principal of the school and the Justice officer of the commune...

On the other hand, although the Law on Marriage and Family stipulates that in cases of illegal marriage, including early marriage and incestuous marriage, relevant agencies and organizations have the responsibility to request the Court to annul the illegal marriage.

The Penal Code stipulates that early marriage or sexual intercourse with children from 13 to under 16 years old is subject to criminal prosecution; however, through the survey, no cases have been prosecuted.

Agreeing with the opinion of the Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee, Provincial People's Council, Ms. Thai Thi An Chung - Deputy Head of the Legal Committee of the Provincial People's Council also said: The Government also has a Decree with specific regulations, especially for cadres, civil servants, and party members who need to handle violations of prohibitions in the field of marriage and family, including early marriage and incestuous marriage.

Mr. Luong Thanh Hai - Head of the Provincial Ethnic Minorities Committee shared some difficulties in propagating and surveying the situation of early marriage and incestuous marriage. Photo: Mai Hoa

Innovation in propaganda work

Concluding the meeting, Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Thi Thu Huong emphasized: The 1959 Law on Marriage and Family and through many amendments and supplements continued to raise the issue of banning early marriage and incestuous marriage.

Therefore, the responsibility for implementing this task belongs to the Party Committee, the government and the entire political system, not just the Steering Committee at the provincial level and not just the 9 communes of 4 districts: Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Que Phong within the scope of the Project to Reduce the situation of early marriage and incestuous marriage among ethnic minorities in Nghe An province.

Nghe An Border Guard distributes leaflets to disseminate legal information to women in border areas. Photo courtesy

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong suggested that the Provincial Steering Committee needs to be reorganized and clarify the responsibilities of each member; focus on propaganda and mobilization work in many ways and forms to change awareness and sense of responsibility not only of students, minors, parents but also of district and commune level Party committees, authorities, and organizations; propaganda needs to be integrated with fighting illiteracy and re-illiteracy; ensure employment and stable income.

District and commune-level Party committees and authorities need to be responsible for developing annual implementation plans with specific targets and solutions to create real changes in this task.