The National Assembly unanimously adopted the Marriage (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024 today. The House amended only one section of the bill. The amended section raises the marriage age of females from 16 to 18 years.
The amended section now reads ‘as restricted by section Kha 1-11 for a marriage of minors, a male and female who have not attained 18 years of age at the time of marriage shall not be granted marriage certificates’.
The section was amended to align with other Acts like the Penal Code of Bhutan 2004, the Contract Act of Bhutan 2013, and the Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan 2011.
All the 45 members present during the session voted in favour of the amendment.
The Bill will now be forwarded to the National Council.
Singye Dema
