Network of NGOs: Allow 16 to 18 years to marry in certain circumstances

The Network is also calling on the Opposition to give its support.

In a release, Brown said, the Network “strongly condemns” the change of the majority votes required for passage of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016 and called it “a dangerous precedent.” The constitutional provision on the majority votes, Brown said, was meant to protect the human rights of all citizens including women and girls.

The bill, which was passed in the Senate without the Opposition’s support, is to be debated in the House of Representatives tomorrow.

Brown noted that the Hindu Women’s Organisation has been advocating for a change in the age of consent of the different marriage acts since 1997 when Kamla Persad Bissessar as attorney general formed the first Marriage Acts Review Committee.

The advocacy continued at several international forums, including the Network supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s advocacy at Commonwealth women ministers meetings and placing the issue on the Commonwealth agenda. The advocacy, she said, included the preparation of a case study prepared by HWO President, Brenda Gopeesingh in her role as special envoy for women and girls.

In 2016 when Government announced its intention to include the raising of the marriage age to 18 years on its legislative agenda and the Leader of the Opposition indicated that she would support such legislation, Brown said, the Network joined a coalition of civil society organisations to support the change.