MODEL LAW ON ERADICATING CHILD MARRIAGE AND PROTECTING CHILDREN ALREADY IN MARRIAGE _______________ PREAMBLE ________________ (Please draft according to the style of drafting legislation in the national jurisdiction, for example replace this Preamble with an Explanatory Memorandum or Memorandum of objects and reasons) We, the members of the SADC Parliamentary Forum: Conscious that Article 21(2) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child provides that1. States Parties to the present Charter shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting the welfare, dignity, normal growth and development of the child and in particular(a) those customs and practices prejudicial to the health or life of the child; and (b) those customs and practices which are discriminatory to the child on the grounds of sex or other status. 2. Child Marriage and the betrothal of girls and boys shall be prohibited and effective action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify the minimum age of marriage to be 18 years and make registration of all marriages in an official registry compulsory; Page 21 of 78