Statement of the State Committee on the kidnapping of 17-year-old girl in Barda region

28 August 2020

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It was reported that a 17-year-old girl was kidnapped for the marriage by a man who was married twice before in Barda region on 28.08.2020. The State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs appealed to the Monitoring Group on Gender Violence and Violence against Children established under the Barda Executive Power to investigate the issue.

Mrs. Fagat Shadlinskaya, Deputy Head of the Barda Executive Power, Chairperson of the Monitoring Group, visited the family and met with the girl. During the conversation, it was found out that the girl got married voluntarily, and it was said that they would apply to the relevant state body to formalize their relationship in the near future. It should be noted that these points are confirmed in the video of the conversation.

We remind you that according to the Family Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the age of marriage is 18 for boys and girls. Reduction of the marriage age may be allowed for  no more than 1 year only with the consent of the local executive body.  As reflected in the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 23, 2020 "Regulations on the importance of family and marriage among young people, the negative consequences of early marriage and marriage between relatives  in order to protect and strengthen it",  early marriage creates a number of serious problems for reproductive health, including the social life of girls.