Marriage Equality for All: Legal Age Raised to 18

A landmark reform in Burkina Faso has set the legal age of marriage at 18 for both girls and boys, ending a long-standing gender gap and advancing child protection.

“This legislative change represents a vital step forward in the fight against child, early, and forced marriage,” said members of the Coalition to Eliminate Child Marriage (CONAMEB), who have been campaigning for this change since 2018.

Previously, girls could marry as young as 15 with judicial consent. The new Personal and Family Code harmonises the age limit, aligning with international human rights standards and offering renewed hope for gender equality. With over half of girls having been previously married before 18, the reform marks a significant victory for civil society. Activists now urge the government to pair the new law with policies that keep girls in school and address root causes like poverty and inequality — ensuring every girl has the freedom to choose her future.