The Saudi government has begun issuing new papers for marriage contracts which will require the age of the bride to be recorded. Arab News reports:

“The new marriage contracts represent a serious step to prevent the marriage of young girls,” said sources at the ministry. “There is a serious drive by the ministry to determine an age for girls to marry following the recent reporting of older men marrying young girls,” the sources added.

The sources also said they expect the government to enact legislation fixing the minimum marriage age. “By doing so the Kingdom will keep pace with other Arab and Muslim countries,” they added.

The move, which has been welcomed by human rights activists in the kingdom, follows a series of scandals involving child brides (here and here, for example).

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 2 June 2010.