PNG defines marriage age

2:05 pm on 14 March 2015

The revised Lukautim Pikinini Act will enforce the legal marrying age of 18 years in Papua New Guinea.

The Post Courier reports that marriage by people under 18 years of age would be deemed illegal under the new law, which would be re-introduced in Parliament for amendment in the May session.

Constitutional Law Reform Commission Secretary Eric Kwa has outlined the marriage age and other measures to protect children's rights in the new Lukautim Pikinini Act during the 2015 PNG Women's Forum in Port Moresby.

He says it's the first time the Government has developed a child protection policy, which would guide the implementation of the Lukautim Pikinini Act.

Three laws; Lukautim Pikinini Act 2009, Deserted Wife and Children's Act, and the Infant's Act have been merged and amalgamated as a single legislation.