Penal Code (Prohibition of Child Marriage)

Brief Description

Thenew Penal Code, under section 356, states;

- Whoever compels anyone to marry shall be punished with imprisonment for from 5 – 10 years with a fine of from CFAF  25,000 – 1,000,000 (USD $45-$1,700)
- Where the victim is under the age of 18, the punishment may not be less than 2 years imprisonment, whatever the mitigating circumstances
- Whoever gives in marriage a boy or a girl under 18 shall be punished as under the last two foregoing subsections
- Under conviction, the court may deprive the offender of parental power and disqualify him from being the guardian or curator of any person for the time prescribed by section 31 (4) of this penal code