In October 2025, Somalia’s parliament made history by ratifying the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, a move that should have banned child marriage and set 18 as the minimum age for marriage.
For millions of Somali girls, it could have meant freedom from being wives before they ever became women.
But when the news broke, some men wept. Not in relief or joy, but in outrage. They were devastated at the thought of losing their “right” to marry young girls. They protested, shouted, and pushed back and the government listened.
Days later, the Ministry of Family and Human Rights clarified that Somalia would not enforce any part of the new law that contradicted Islamic teachings, including the 18-year marriage limit.
Just like that, a historic step forward was dragged backward by the loud cries of men who saw girls as property, not people.
Urban Woman spoke to women about this heartbreaking reversal:
Cecilia
Who will defend these girls? Women all over the world must continue to fight, and I encourage Somali women to rise too. I wish there was a way we could connect them, help them raise their voices, vote, and push back. Somalia should learn from other countries, girls’ rights are human rights.
Katherine
Where are the mothers in all this? What were they doing while men were crying over losing access to children? We need to stop being helpless. How many mothers will they kill if millions of women stand up and protest? It’s time to stop whispering our pain.
Amina
I’m so tired of seeing people misuse Islam to justify their nonsense culture. Islam never commanded child marriage. It calls for maturity, sound judgment, and mutual consent. The Prophet taught compassion and protection for the vulnerable, not their exploitation. True Islamic values uphold justice, dignity, and the welfare of every child.
Temitope
I can’t believe this. Shame, Shame, Big shame on their leaders! They have failed the next generation. It’s crazy that we have to vote and defend laws to tell grown men not to marry children. I can imagine the one’s who fought for this to pass only to be rolled back. Don’t give up, we fight again.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.