Child marriage has historically been a concern across parts of the Middle East, but the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken steps in recent years to strengthen protections for young people. As part of efforts to align national legislation with international child protection standards, the country’s updated Personal Status Law sets the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 years. By ensuring that marriage decisions occur when individuals are emotionally and legally mature, these reforms aim to protect girls’ education and well-being.

Modernizing Family Law

Legal reforms introduced in 2024 and implemented in 2025 expanded child-centered protections within family law as part of broader efforts to address child marriage in the UAE. The law introduced penalties for child neglect or abuse, and courts can now prioritize the best interests of children in marriage and custody decisions. The revised framework also requires courts to evaluate the welfare and maturity of any young person involved, providing an additional safeguard against coercion and early unions.

Advocacy organizations note that establishing 18 as the national standard marks progress, although earlier legal frameworks allowed judicial exceptions for marriage under 18. Increased judicial oversight requires courts to carefully assess whether a marriage serves the welfare of the young person involved, reinforcing protections against coercion or early unions.

Expanding Child Protection Systems

Alongside marriage law reform, the UAE has invested in broader child protection initiatives designed to reduce risks faced by minors. National legislation outlines protections covering education, employment restrictions and welfare systems to prevent exploitation. These frameworks aim to create safer environments where children can remain in school and develop before entering adulthood.

Supporting Girls Through Education and Awareness

Globally, education plays a key role in preventing child marriage, and the UAE has increasingly focused on awareness and social development programs. According to reports, the average age of marriage for women in the UAE has risen to about 24 years, suggesting changing social expectations and expanded opportunities for women’s education and employment. Research consistently links later marriage with higher rates of secondary education completion and greater workforce participation for women, outcomes associated with long-term reductions in poverty.

Government initiatives and partnerships with international organizations continue to promote girls’ rights and community awareness around early marriage. These efforts aim to help young women make informed life choices by encouraging continued education and economic participation.

A Positive Path Forward

Recent legal reforms highlight the UAE’s growing commitment to protecting children and promoting gender equality. Setting a clear legal age requirement, strengthening court oversight and expanding child welfare policies support efforts to reduce child marriage in the UAE and promote healthier futures for girls.

Although enforcement and social attitudes may vary, these reforms represent an institutional shift toward prevention rather than response, signaling sustained commitment to child protection. Continued cooperation between advocacy groups, legal institutions and legislators indicates that further progress remains possible. As reforms take effect, the focus increasingly shifts toward prevention, education and long-term opportunities for young people across the UAE.

– Honey Regev

Honey is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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