The report compiled by Baþkent University (Ankara) Woman-Child Care and Family Planning Research and Application Center President, Prof Ayþe Akýn, stated that 30-35 percent of the children under 18 age get married and the marriage age is declining to 12.

Profesor Akin gave the report to the Assembly Equal Proportunities Equality of Woman and Man Commission.

While the report was pointing out to the inconsistency on the marriage age, marriage under 18 years is demanded to be absolutely forbidden.

The report stated that early and forcibly marriage, often chosen for sons, by families who live in poverty and by the patriarchal structure lead toward violence and social exclusion.

The report stated that the “child bride” conception in Turkish judicial system correspond with age 17 in Turkish Civil Code; age 18 in Child Protection Law; age 15 in Turkish Penal Code, which brings about inconsistency.

The report draws attention to the fact that traditionally living families make their daughters marry at an early age, and child marriage is accepted as human rights abuse in Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The report also recorded that leaders in the society must act sensitively against early marriage.

Translator: Berna Ozgencil