Youth debate Marriage Act
Members of the first Junior National Council passed a motion seeking the removal of a clause in the Marriages Act which allows children under the age of 18 to marry if the minister responsible approves such a move.
The Chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams on Friday said the National Council would adopt the report of the junior session, including all the motions passed which will procedurally pass through the established structures.
Section 26, sub-section 1 of the Act, states that it is illegal for boys and girls under the age of 18 to marry, but, it makes an exception which gives the line minister the power to authorise a marriage involving a boy or girl underage if it is 'desirable'. The young MPs learned about this law last week while listening to a statement by the Chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission, Yvonne Dausab on child marriages in Namibia.
A total of 42 Grade 10 and 12 learners from all 14 regions of the country gathered in Windhoek last week for the first session of the Junior National Council in the National Council Chamber. The session was held under the theme 'Parliament engages youth perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals'.
Mensah-Williams said: “The chosen theme aligns with that of parliament for this financial year, which is working towards the attainment of the sustainable development goals.
“We believe that this makes sense because the youth constitute the majority of Namibia's population. Therefore, hearing their views, concerns and proposals in this regard gives parliament, among other institutions of the State, the thrust it needs to ensure that Namibia successfully realises the SDGs.”
STAFF REPORTER
The Chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams on Friday said the National Council would adopt the report of the junior session, including all the motions passed which will procedurally pass through the established structures.
Section 26, sub-section 1 of the Act, states that it is illegal for boys and girls under the age of 18 to marry, but, it makes an exception which gives the line minister the power to authorise a marriage involving a boy or girl underage if it is 'desirable'. The young MPs learned about this law last week while listening to a statement by the Chairperson of the Law Reform and Development Commission, Yvonne Dausab on child marriages in Namibia.
A total of 42 Grade 10 and 12 learners from all 14 regions of the country gathered in Windhoek last week for the first session of the Junior National Council in the National Council Chamber. The session was held under the theme 'Parliament engages youth perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals'.
Mensah-Williams said: “The chosen theme aligns with that of parliament for this financial year, which is working towards the attainment of the sustainable development goals.
“We believe that this makes sense because the youth constitute the majority of Namibia's population. Therefore, hearing their views, concerns and proposals in this regard gives parliament, among other institutions of the State, the thrust it needs to ensure that Namibia successfully realises the SDGs.”
STAFF REPORTER
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