Child marriage is against the law
What the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024 forbids, how a child marriage can be stopped or annulled, and who must report it.
Posted By lanbuk.com
This guide explains the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024 (Act No. 5 of 2024) in plain words. Under each point are the Act's own words. It is not legal advice: for your own situation, read the Act and get advice. The Act's page shows any later amendment.
1.A child is anyone under 18
Under the Act a child is a person under 18, and a child marriage is any union where one or both people are children.
“child” means a person below the age of 18; “child marriage” means a union in which either or both of the contracting parties is a child; (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 1)
2.No one may marry a child
Marrying a child is an offence, punished by at least 15 years in prison, a fine of at least Le 100,000, or both.
A person shall not contract marriage with a child. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 2)
3.Parents and guardians may not consent
A parent, guardian or anyone caring for a child must not consent to the child's marriage. If a child is married, the law presumes the parent or guardian consented or failed to stop it, unless they prove otherwise.
A parent, guardian, or person having charge of a child shall not consent for a child to enter into marriage. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 3)
4.Forcing a child is an offence
Using force, duress, deceit, torture or neglect to make a child be betrothed, be part of a dowry deal or marry is an offence.
A person shall not use force, duress, deceit, abandon, torture or neglect to compel a child to be betrothed, be subject to a dowry transaction or enter into a contract of child marriage. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 4)
5.Conducting, promoting or attending
It is also an offence to conduct or preside over a child marriage, to promote one, or to attend the ceremony. The law presumes such a person knew one of the parties was under 18, unless they prove otherwise.
A person shall not conduct or preside over a child marriage ceremony. … A person shall not attend a child marriage ceremony. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, ss 5–7)
6.Living with a child as a partner
No one may live with a child in a sexual relationship, and a parent or guardian must not allow it.
A person shall not cohabit with a child. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 11)
7.A child marriage has no legal effect
A child marriage made after the Act came into effect is void. A child marriage made before can be annulled on a petition by the person who was the child; if they are still a child, the State files it. Children born of the marriage remain legitimate.
A child marriage contracted after the coming into effect of this Act shall be void. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, ss 15, 16, 19)
8.Compensation
A judge may order the adult in a child marriage to pay compensation to the child, taking into account the child's needs, the lifestyle during the marriage and the adult's income.
A judge may order the adult contracting party of a child marriage to pay compensation to the child contracting party. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 17)
9.Stopping a planned marriage
If a court is satisfied that a child marriage has been arranged or is about to happen, it must issue an injunction to stop it. Where it is necessary, it can issue an interim injunction without first giving notice.
Where the court is satisfied that a child marriage has been arranged or is about to be solemnised, it shall issue an injunction … (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 21)
10.Everyone must report
Anyone who knows or has reason to believe a child is married, a child marriage is likely to take place, or someone is living with a child must report it at once: to a police station or police post, a Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, a Paramount Chief or Chief, a social worker, the Chief Administrator of a Local Council, a local authority or a child welfare committee. Failing to report is an offence.
A person who knows or has reason to believe that—(a) a child is married; (b) there is a likelihood of a child marriage ceremony taking place; or (c) a person is cohabiting with a child, shall immediately report it … (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 26)
11.The minimum age of marriage is 18
The Act also changed the Child Rights Act 2007 so that the minimum age for any kind of marriage is 18.
The minimum age of marriage of whatever kind shall be 18 years. (Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024, s 28(2), replacing s 34 of the Child Rights Act 2007)
Where to go
For free legal help and other contacts, see Get legal help.
As named in the Act:
- The nearest police station or police post.
- A Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (assigned by the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, s 23).
- A Paramount Chief or Chief, a social worker, the Chief Administrator of a Local Council, a local authority or a child welfare committee (s 26).
Cite this page
Lanbuk. (2026, November 7). Child marriage is against the law. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://www.lanbuk.com/know-your-rights/child-marriage