Between 2020 and 2022, more than 14,000 cases of child marriage were recorded in Palestine. The Palestinian legal framework governing child marriage sets the minimum marriage age at 18, yet it allows for exceptions. The lack of a clear and restrictive criteria for such exceptions, coupled with the current security situation in Palestine is contributing to an increased prevalence of child marriage.

In order to strengthen EUPOL COPPS’ advice to the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) on Child Marriage and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a consultative meeting with Palestinian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) was held in Ramallah, on 27 February. The activity, aiming at enhancing the PCP accountability towards the society on addressing human rights violations, has been organised marking International Women’s Day. The meeting highlighted the impact of child marriages and gender-based violence that is increasingly affecting Palestinian girls. Child marriages contribute significantly to a heightened risk of violence and adolescent pregnancies, with fewer opportunities for education, impeding young women and girls to reach reaching their full potential.

The participants agreed that child marriage constitutes gender-based violence and a form of torture, and emphasised the state’s obligation to not only prevent, but also protect victims of GBV. The absence of protection laws depriving Palestinian women and girls from accessing their rights for protection, namely the pending Family Protection Bill, was discussed. The meeting also addressed the importance of EUPOL COPPS sponsored PCP’s emergency hotline (106), aiming at enhancing police officers’ sensitivity and skills in handling cases of domestic and gender-based violence.