The mother of a 15-year-old boy, now officially engaged to a 14-year-old girl, defended her son’s choice on Monday evening, arguing that he has a mature mind that exceeds his age. The families of the two children carried out an engagement ceremony, his mother Sahar told DMC channel, in order to affirm that the young bride would be his future wife. Sahar argued that her son‘s social circle was of adults, and that he demonstrated responsibility since childhood. “What happened is a continuing social norm,” Sabry Othman, General Coordinator of a child helpline affiliated to the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, commented. Such statistics led to a new draft law proposal in June 2018, aiming to criminalize child marriage.

Source: Egypt Independent December 17, 2018 12:11 UTC