Child marriage in Thong Thu (Que Phong)

(Baonghean.vn) -Recently, in Thong Thu and Que Phong communes, the situation of child marriage (marriage before reaching the legal age) has reappeared. According to incomplete statistics of the People's Committee of Thong Thu commune, there are about 6 Thai couples in 3 border villages, Muong Phu, Muong Piet and Loc village, who are getting married early, in which the girls are only 14-15 years old and the boys are 17-18 years old.

The representative of the People's Committee of Thong Thu commune said: although the commune has handled the situation by not issuing marriage certificates for the above cases; at the same time, assigned judicial officers to propagate and explain to both families to only get married and issue marriage certificates when they are of age. However, for many reasons and especially due to insufficient awareness, both families still defy the law and agree to organize weddings for their children.

Although the marriage is not recognized by law, the commune has not yet been able to punish any case. And although it cannot issue a marriage certificate, to ensure the children's right to be a mother and the right to birth registration, the People's Committee still creates conditions for the children to be granted birth certificates (only the mother's name is recorded).

It is recommended that district-level departments and organizations coordinate with local authorities to strengthen propaganda and explanation; at the same time, resolutely handle cases of illegal marriage, especially cases where the man is an adult but the woman is underage./.

Nguyen Hai