Public Statement: Child Marriages in Scotland

28th February 2025

Amina MWRC supports Payzee Mahmod’s campaign to ban child marriage in Scotland. Despite the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDS) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defining marriage under the age of 18 as child marriage, Scotland currently allows marriages from the age of 16. Payzee, a survivor of child marriage herself, is leading the campaign to end this practice in Scotland.  

According to the UNCRC, “Child and forced marriage (CFM) is a human rights violation and a harmful practice that disproportionately affects women and girls globally, preventing them from living their lives free from all forms of violence”. Amina MWRC calls on the Scottish Government to follow the example of England and Wales by banning this violation of children’s rights.

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Amina – the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre is Scotland’s leading women’s rights organisation for Muslim & BME women, and is at the forefront of various ending Violence Against Women & Girls campaigns. Donate now to help support our work.

Source: https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/child-and-forced-marriage-including-humanitarian-settings