Freedom of Marriage World Map

Hiddush - Freedom of Marriage World Map

Freedom of Marriage World Map

Legend:

0: Severe restrictions

1: Partial restrictions

2: Freedom of Marriage

Principal Religion:

Freedom of Marriage/Divorce:

Comments:

Primary Source:

Afghanistan
AF
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce governed by Sharia law; heavily biased against women and restrictive regarding interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168240.htm
Albania
AL
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage, but according to reports, 10% of women are married before the age of 18 and children are reportedly sold for marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/eur/186322.htm
Algeria
DZ
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce governed by Sharia law; heavily biased against women and restrictive regarding interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168258.htm
Andorra
AD
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2001/5538.htm
Angola
AO
Indigenous
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The legal age for marriage is 15 and there are reports that in some rural areas the law is not enforced and children are married even earlier than the legal age.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154330.htm
Antigua and Barbuda
AG
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/esa/gopher-data/ga/cedaw/17/country/Antigua/C-ANT1-3.EN
Argentina
AR
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/wha/154491.htm
Armenia
AM
Armenian Orthodox
2
Formal freedom of marriage, but special privileges are granted to the Armenian Christian Church.
http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/armenia_cedaw_c_arm_4.pdf
Australia
AU
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Austria
AT
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/canberra/practical-advice/travelling-to-austria/marriage-in-austria.html
Azerbaijan
AZ
Shiite Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there is a rise of underage marriages, including many girls who are married at ages 14-15.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eur/154413.htm
Bahamas
BS
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage
http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1908/1908-0004/MarriageAct_1.pdf
Bahrain
BH
Shiite Muslim
0
Sharia law governs marriage laws, which results in reported discriminatory policies against women. In many reported cases, women need family permission in order to get married. However, civil marriage is available for non-Muslims.
http://genderindex.org/country/bahrain
Bangladesh
BD
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal religious freedom of marriage, but there are reports of forced marriages of girls at a young age.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_5488.html
Barbados
BB
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.lawcourts.gov.bb/Marriage.html
Belarus
BY
Eastern Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://minsk.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Belgium
BE
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://belgium.usembassy.gov/marriage-in-belgium.html
Belize
BZ
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap174.pdf
Benin
BJ
Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of forced marriages and kidnapping children for marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/af/186165.htm
Bhutan
BT
Buddhist
1
Religious and nationality-based discrimination. Bhutanese are able to intermarry if their partner is Bhuddist though they are unable to receive certain financial benefits. Polygamy is permitted.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/sca/154479.htm
Bolivia
BO
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage marriages and not enough government involvement. Marriage is allowed at age 14.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Bosnia and Herzegovina
BA
Sunni Muslim
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Botswana
BW
Christian
1
Botswana recognizes three parallel legal systems. Two of them often are discriminatory against women in marriage law. Polygamy is legal but not widely practiced.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/af/186167.htm
Brazil
BR
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/marriage-info.html
Brunei
BN
Sunni Muslim
0
Sharia law applies to Muslim population, which constitutes two-thirds of the population. Intermarriage is prohibited.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168348.htm
Bulgaria
BG
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.childsrights.org/html/site_fr/law_download.php?id=15
Burkina Faso
BF
Sunni Muslim
0
Formal freedom of marriage. In rural areas, women are reported to be considered the property of their husbands. According to reports, One-third of girls between the ages of 15-19 are married and there are many reports of forced marriage.
http://genderindex.org/country/burkina-faso
Burundi
BI
Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, 18% of women between the ages of 20-24 claim to have been engaged or married before the age of 18.
http://genderindex.org/country/burundi
Cambodia
KH
Buddhist
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/cambodia_cedaw_c_khm_4_5_2011.pdf
Cameroon
CM
Indigenous/Christian
0
Formal freedom of marriage. The legal age for marriage is 15. According to reports in the northern areas of Cameroon, marriages at even younger ages are a common occurrence. Young girls are often sent away from home to marry older men.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,USCIS,,CMR,,3f51ec864,0.html
Canada
CA
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-marriage.asp
Cape Verde
CV
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Central African Republic
CF
Indigenous/Christian
0
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there is a large amount of women between the ages of 15-19 that are married, divorced, or widowed. Polygamy is legal.
http://genderindex.org/country/central-african-republic
Chad
TD
Sunni Muslim
0
Formal freedom of marriage. The legal age for engagement is 11. There are many reports of forced marriage and selling women for marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154338.htm
Chile
CL
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.bcn.cl/ecivica/mcivil/
China
CN
None (officially atheist)
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www1.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/14/content_22279.htm
Colombia
CO
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Comoros
KM
Sunni Muslim
0
Sharia law has significant influence on marriage law. The legal age for marriage is 15 for men and 14 for women. There are reports of forced underage marriage amongst the Muslim population.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country.IRBC.COM.41501c0023,0.html
Congo - Brazzaville
CG
Christian
1
There are reports of discrimination against women in traditional marriage laws and customs. Polygamy is recognized by the government.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168207.htm
Congo - Kinshasa
CD
Roman Catholic
0
Marriage laws discriminate negatively against women. There are many reports of women who have been raped and because of that, are unable to get married. There are also many reports of selling women for marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/af/186185.htm
Costa Rica
CR
Roman Catholic
2
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of low-level discrimination in favor of the Catholic church.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168207.htm
Croatia
HR
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/service/other/marriage.html
Cuba
CU
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/wha/186505.htm
Cyprus
CY
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.cyprusembassy.net/home/index.php?module=page&cid=1045
Czech Republic
CZ
Roman Catholic (majority unaffiliated)
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.en.domavcr.cz/advices-for-living-in-the-czech-republic/family/marriage-and-wedding
Denmark
DK
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://host.uniroma3.it/progetti/cedir/cedir/Lex-doc/Dk_marrig.pdf
Djibouti
DJ
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce governed by Sharia law; heavily biased against women and restrictive regarding interfaith marriage. Civil marriage only allowed for non-Muslim foreign residents.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2011/af/192706.htm
Dominica
DM
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/dominica_crc_c_8_add_48_2003.pdf
Dominican Republic
DO
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage. Minimum age for marriage is 15.
http://66.36.242.93/reports/dominicanrepublic_crc_c_8_add.40_1998.php
East Timor
TL
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The recognized age for marriage is 15. There are reports of marriages that are arranged at the bride's birth.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4a1fa3502.html
Ecuador
EC
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://66.36.242.93/reports/ecuador_ccpr_c_ecu_5_2007.pdf
Egypt
EG
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriages and divorces for Muslims are ruled by Sharia law. For members of all other religions, marriage and divorce are ruled by their respective religious law. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper
El Salvador
SV
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://66.36.242.93/reports/elsalvador_ccpr_c_slv_6_2009.pdf
Equatorial Guinea
GQ
Christian
1
Equatorial Guinea recognizes traditional marriage laws. According to reports, this causes discrimination against women, underage marriages, and forced marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Eritrea
ER
Sunni Muslim
0
Eritrea recognizes three legal marriage systems, including traditional laws and Sharia laws. Sharia law governs in several parts of the country. According to reports, there are occurences of underage marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Estonia
EE
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Ethiopia
ET
Orthodox Christian
0
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of specific descrimination towards women and frequent occurences of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Fiji
FJ
Protestant Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there are underage marriages in rural areas.
http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=4eeb2fec2
Finland
FI
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
France
FR
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168311.htm
Gabon
GA
Christian
2
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, underage marriages, which were once common, are becoming more rare.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Gambia
GM
Sunni Muslim
1
There are four parallel types of marriage law recognized in Gambia. Most of the women are married through traditional marriage law. There is no minimum age for marriage and there are many reports of forced marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Georgia
GE
Orthodox Christian
2
Formal freedom of marriage. Scarce reports of forced marriage in rural areas.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Germany
DE
Protestant/Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Ghana
GH
Christian
0
There are three parallel types of marriage law: Civil marriage, traditional marriage, and Islamic marriage according to Sharia law. According to reports, there are many forced marriages and marriages of minors through traditional and sharia law.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Greece
GR
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Greenland
GL
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Greenland
Grenada
GD
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper
Guatemala
GT
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The legal age for men is 14 and for women is 14. There are testimonies of forced marriages and claims that the government in Guatemala doesn't have the ability or desire to tackle this occurence.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Guinea
GN
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there is a lack of proper supervision in preventing underage marriages. Traditional customs permit weddings starting at age 14.
http://genderindex.org/country/guinea
Guinea-Bissau
GW
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Guyana
GY
Protestant Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Haiti
HT
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage and forced marriages. The minimum age for marriage for women is 15.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper
Honduras
HN
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://genderindex.org/country/honduras
Hungary
HU
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Iceland
IS
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
India
IN
Hindu
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage marriage, many of them are forced marriages. There are reports of discrimination practiced, based on caste.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Indonesia
ID
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce is ruled by Sharia law. There are reports of discrimination towards women and restrictions regarding intermarriage. There are reports of underage marriage as well.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm#wrapper
Iran
IR
Shiite Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce is ruled by Sharia law. There are reports of severe discrimination against women and restrictions to intermarriage.The law allows marriage at age 14 for men and 13 for women. There are many reports of underage marriages in rural areas.
http://genderindex.org/country/iran-islamic-rep
Iraq
IQ
Shiite Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce is ruled by Sharia law. There are reports of discrimination towards women and restrictions regarding intermarriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168265.htm
Ireland
IE
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Israel
IL
Jewish
0
Only recognized religious marriage ceremonies are allowed. For Jews, only weddings that are held according to strict Orthodox standards are accepted. There is no option for civil marriage or interfaith marriage. Weddings conducted outside of the country are recognized. 300,000 citizens are defined as "without religion" and they are unable to get married in the country.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168266.htm
Italy
IT
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/co/CEDAW-C-ITA-CO-6.pdf
Ivory Coast
CI
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Ivory Coast's law forbids underage marriage and discrimination against women, but there are reports of frequent traditional customs that contradict the law.
http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&category=&publisher=RDCI&type=&coi=CIV&rid=&docid=4da2a8ad2&skip=0
Jamaica
JM
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/Marriage%20Act.pdf
Japan
JP
Shintoism/Buddhism
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.law.yale.edu/rcw/rcw/jurisdictions/ase/japan/japan_civ_code.htm
Jordan
JO
Sunni Muslim
0
Islamic Sharia law rules in all matters concerning marriage and personal status. There is no civil marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168267.htm
Kazakhstan
KZ
Sunni Muslim
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/43f2fffa0.pdf
Kenya
KE
Protestant Christian
0
There are options to hold marriage ceremonies according to traditional and Islamic laws that reportedly discriminate against women. A quarter of women in Kenya are married as girls.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168413.htm
Kiribati
KI
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.parliament.gov.ki/content/constitution-kiribati
Kosovo
XK
Sunni Muslim
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://pristina.usembassy.gov/kosinfo_5.html
Kuwait
KW
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriages and divorces are ruled by Sharia law. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/nea/154465.htm
Kyrgyzstan
KG
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of kidnapping women and girls for the purpose of marriage.
http://www.unwomen.org/2013/02/new-law-in-kyrgyzstan-toughens-penalties-for-bride-kidnapping/#ftn
Laos
LA
Buddhist
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there are underage marriages and polygamous practices, especially in rural areas.
http://genderindex.org/country/lao-pdr
Latvia
LV
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://riga.usembassy.gov/marryinlatvia.html
Lebanon
LB
Shiite Muslim
0
Marriages and divorces for Muslims are ruled by Sharia law. For members of all other religions, marriage and divorce are ruled by their respective religious law. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168269.htm
Lesotho
LS
Christian
1
There are two parallel sets of marriage laws, civil and traditional. The traditional law reportedly discriminates against women.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154353.htm
Liberia
LR
Christian
1
There are two parallel sets of marriage laws, civil and traditional. The traditional law reportedly discriminates against women and permits underage marriages.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/49672b4f2.pdf
Libya
LY
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce is ruled by Sharia law. There are reports of discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168270.htm
Liechtenstein
LI
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/05/25/liechtenstein-say-yes-same-sex-partnerships
Lithuania
LT
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://ec.europa.eu/civiljustice/applicable_law/applicable_law_lit_en.htm#III.5.
Luxembourg
LU
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage
http://luxembourg.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Macedonia
MK
Macedonian Orthodox
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/getting_married.html
Madagascar
MG
Indigenous
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of discrimination against women due to traditional customs. Polgyamy is permitted according to the law.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/494ba8cfd.pdf
Malawi
MW
Christian
1
Malawi law permits marriages according to customary law which, according to reports, discriminates against women. Most marriages are conducted according to these laws.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Malaysia
MY
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168363.htm
Maldives
MV
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168248.htm
Mali
ML
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of traditional customs with legal backing, that discriminate against women and permit polygamy.
http://mali.usembassy.gov/human-rights-report-08-eng.html
Malta
MT
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://host.uniroma3.it/progetti/cedir/cedir/Lex-doc/Mal_Mar-1975.pdf
Marshall Islands
MH
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a16
Mauritania
MR
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reported social pressures against marrying partners from different social classes and discrimination against women stemming from the influence of Sharia law.
http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/mauritania_cedaw_c_mrt_1_2005.pdf
Mauritius
MU
Hindu
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.gov.mu/portal/sites/mfamission/washington/documents/marriage_guidelines.pdf
Mexico
MX
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/mexico-mexique/consul/mardiv.aspx?view=d
Micronesia
FM
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.fsmlaw.org/chuuk/code/title23/T23_Ch02.htm
Moldova
MD
Eastern Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://moldova.usembassy.gov/marriages.html
Monaco
MC
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://monacodc.org/usafaq.htm#married
Mongolia
MN
Buddhist
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,463af2212,49709e7c10,3ae6ab1758,0.html
Montenegro
ME
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=187544#LinkTarget_1166
Morocco
MA
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce law is determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriage.
http://ukinmorocco.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/061-Marriage-FAQS/010-marriagegeneralbranch/010-FAQQ1
Mozambique
MZ
Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of improper implementation of the marriage laws, which causes discrimination against women married through customary and religious laws.
http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/Constitution_(in_force_21_01_05)(English)-Mozlegal.pdf
Myanmar [Burma]
MM
Buddhist
1
Formal freedom of marriage, but the minimum age woman can marry is 16 and polygamy is legal although rare.
http://genderindex.org/country/myanmar
Namibia
NA
Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are still reports traditional marriages and polygamy is permitted by law.
http://genderindex.org/country/namibia
Nepal
NP
Hindu
1
Formal freedom of marriage but there are reports of cultural resisitance to intercaste marriages.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168249.htm
Netherlands
NL
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.government.nl/issues/family-law/marriage-registered-partnership-and-cohabitation-agreements
New Caledonia
NC
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.rocket-guide-newcaledonia.com/legal_weddings_in_New_Caledonia220709.pdf
New Zealand
NZ
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-How-to-Get-a-Marriage-Licence
Nicaragua
NI
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Niger
NE
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports discrimination against women in traditional marriage ceremonies. The minimum age for females to marry is 15 but there is documentation of young girls who are married at any earlier age.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2011/af/186227.htm
Nigeria
NG
Sunni Muslim
0
Nigeria recognizes three types of marriage law: Civil, traditional, and religious (Muslim or Christian). This system creates discrimination against women and recognizes polygamy. According to reports, 73% of women in the northern part of the country, which has a large Muslim population, are married before they reach the age of 18.
http://genderindex.org/country/nigeria#_ftn15
North Korea
KP
None (officially atheist)
0
There is no freedom of marriage. The state permits marriage only to members of the same social castes.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154388.htm
Norway
NO
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Oman
OM
Ibadhi Muslim
0
Marriage and divorced laws are controlled by the Sharia. There are many reports of underage marriages. For the non-muslim population, there are options for religious and civil marriages.
http://www.civilstatus.gov.om/english/services_MarriageEntry.asp
Pakistan
PK
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriages and divorces laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168251.htm
Palau
PW
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.sou.edu/mcnair/LukaJournalArticle2012web.pdf
Palestinian Authority
PS
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce governed by Sharia law; heavily biased against women and restrictive regarding interfaith marriage.
http://genderindex.org/country/west-bank-and-gaza
Panama
PA
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The minimum age for marriage is 14. According to reports, a fifth of the women are married before age 19.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168224.htm
Papua New Guinea
PG
Protestant Christian
0
There are options for both civil and traditional marriages. According to reports, here is a growing trend of underage marriages and polygamy.
http://genderindex.org/country/papua-new-guinea
Paraguay
PY
Roman Catholic
2
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of a decline in underage marriages.
http://paraguay.usembassy.gov/citizen_information/marriage-in-paraguay.html
Peru
PE
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6aad330.html
Philippines
PH
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The marriage laws for the small Muslim population is ruled by the Sharia. There are reports of young girls who are forced into marriages, especially in the Muslim sector.
http://manila.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Poland
PL
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Portugal
PT
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage. Legal age for marriage is 16.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Qatar
QA
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia; for non-Muslims, a Christian wedding is reportedly the only legal way to wed in Qatar.
http://qatar.usembassy.gov/citizen-services/marriage-in-qatar.html
Romania
RO
Eastern Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Russia
RU
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Rwanda
RW
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Most marriages are not legally registered because of Rwanda's relatively old legal age for marriage (21). Polygamy is forbidden.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168425.htm
San Marino
SM
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/898586b1dc7b4043c1256a450044f331/3bd8e30b8734e86fc12572cd004691b8/$FILE/G0740810.pdf
Sao Tome and Principe
ST
Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. But there are still reports of customary union ceremonies.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168426.htm
Saudi Arabia
SA
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages. There is no minimum legal age for marriage.
http://www.mideastinfo.com/documents/Saudi_Arabia_Basic_Law.htm
Senegal
SN
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Traditional marriage laws still have a large influence on marriages and polygamy is permitted. There are many reports of illegal underage marriages. In certain areas, the Sharia determines marriage law.
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20041217123824607
Serbia
RS
Orthodox Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Seychelles
SC
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.egov.sc/MyCitizen/GetMarried.aspx
Sierra Leone
SL
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Because Sierra Leone officially recognizes traditional marriage customs, there are reports of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/45f6c8972.html
Singapore
SG
Buddhist
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/marriage-in-singapore.html
Slovakia
SK
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Slovenia
SI
Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://slovenia.usembassy.gov/getting_married.html
Solomon Islands
SB
Protestant Christian
1
Freedom of marriage.
http://lawfam.oxfordjournals.org/content/18/1/52.short
Somalia
SO
Sunni Muslim
0
Weddings are conducted according to Shia Islamic law. Civil marriages are not recognized and there are reports of child and forced marriages.
http://www.landinfo.no/asset/769/1/769_1.pdf
Somaliland
_3
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce governed by Sharia law. Reports of discrimination against women.
http://www.somalilandlaw.com/somaliland_constitution.htm
South Africa
ZA
Protestant Christian
2
Formal freedom of marriage even though South Africa recognizes traditional and customary marriage laws. There are some reports of polygamy.
http://genderindex.org/country/south-africa
South Korea
KR
Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/marriage-mariage.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
South Sudan
SS
Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage, but there are reports of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/187907.pdf
Spain
ES
Roman Catholic
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Sri Lanka
LK
Buddhist
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underagemarriages, especially amongst the Muslim population. Muslim citizens are not allowed have civil marriages.
http://www.gic.gov.lk/gic/index.php?option=com_info&id=352&task=info&lang=en
Sudan
SD
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfatih marriage. The Sudanese government does recognize civil marriages between members of the non-Muslim population. Muslims are not allowed to have civil marriages.
http://sudan.usembassy.gov/getting_married.html
Suriname
SR
Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are two types of marriage that are recognized in Suriname (Hindu and Muslim). There are reports of underage marriages in religious marriage ceremonies.
http://www.iwraw-ap.org/resources/pdf/Suriname%20Critical%20Issues.pdf
Swaziland
SZ
Zionist (Christian/indigenous)
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage marriages and polygamy amongst the population that gets married through traditional marriages.
http://www.genderindex.org/country/swaziland
Sweden
SE
Lutheran
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/familypolicy/Source/4_1_i%20Legislation%20on%20marriage.pdf
Switzerland
CH
Roman Catholic
1
Freedom of marriage.
http://bern.usembassy.gov/marriage_in_switzerland.html
Syria
SY
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages. Muslim citizens are required to get married in a religious ceremony.
http://www.rwi.uzh.ch/lehreforschung/alphabetisch/buechler/cont/Syria.pdf
Taiwan
TW
Buddhist/Daoist
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.taiwan.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=44499&CtNode=2468&mp=1009
Tajikistan
TJ
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, there is a growing trend of marrying off young girls and polygamy.
http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov/marriage.html
Tanzania
TZ
Christian (Zanzibar - Muslim)
0
There are reports of marriages being held at a young age and the law in Tanzania permits polygamy.
http://www.genderindex.org/country/tanzania
Thailand
TH
Buddhist
2
Formal freedom of marriage, though there are reports of discrimination against women.
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/thailand-thailande/consular_services_consulaires/marriage_thailand-marier_thailande.aspx?view=d
Togo
TG
Christian
0
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of discrimination against women in traditional marriages. There are also reports of underage marriages and polygamy amongst significant percentages of the population.
http://www.genderindex.org/country/togo
Trinidad and Tobago
TT
Roman Catholic/Protestant
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The minimum legal age for marriage depends on religion. For example, in Muslim weddings (held according to Sharia law) the minimum age is 12.
http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/gortt/portal/ttconnect/Non_visitorDetail/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/gortt/wcm/connect/gortt+web+content/TTConnect/Non-National/Role/AVisitor/FamilyServices/Getting+Married
Tunisia
TN
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws determined by the Sharia legal system. There are reports of discrimination towards women and restrictions against interfaith marriages.
http://genderindex.org/country/tunisia
Turkey
TR
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There reports of many problems, such as underage and forced marriages, especially in rural areas.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Turkmenistan
TM
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. According to reports, around 9% of marriages involve minors.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Tuvalu
TV
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/492688142.html
Uganda
UG
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage marriages and discrimination against women.
http://genderindex.org/country/uganda
Ukraine
UA
Orthodox Christian
2
Formal freedom of marriage. There is a reported problem of underage marriages amongst gypsies.
http://genderindex.org/country/ukraine
United Arab Emirates
AE
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are ruled by the Sharia law. There are reports of severe discrimination against women and restrictions regarding interfaith marriages. According to reports, underage marriage is a serious problem.
http://genderindex.org/country/united-arab-emirates
United Kingdom
GB
Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
United States
US
Protestant Christian
2
Freedom of marriage.
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/441699ad4.html
Uruguay
UY
Roman Catholic
2
Formal freedom of marriage.
http://genderindex.org/country/uruguay
Uzbekistan
UZ
Sunni Muslim
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage and forced marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Vanuatu
VU
Protestant Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of underage marriages and discrimination against women.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Vatican City
VA
Roman Catholic
0
Marriage in the Vatican is only available for Catholics.
http://vatican.usembassy.gov/vatican/married.html
Venezuela
VE
Roman Catholic
1
Formal freedom of marriage. The minimum age for marriage for females is 14. In addition, there is documentation of women who are raped and then forced to marry their attacker.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Vietnam
VN
Buddhist
1
Formal freedom of marriage. There are reports of traditional marriage that discriminates against women. There are also reports of underage marriages.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports.htm
Yemen
YE
Sunni Muslim
0
Marriage and divorce laws are determined by the Sharia. There are reports of severe discrimination against women (Silence can be considered as consent to marriage). There are also many reports of marriages between children and adults. There are restrictions regarding intermarriage.
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper
Zambia
ZM
Christian
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Zambia recognizes both civil and traditional marriages. Traditional marriage laws reportedly permit underage and forced marriages, which often take place in rural areas.
http://genderindex.org/country/zambia
Zimbabwe
ZW
Syncretic (Christian/Indigenous)
1
Formal freedom of marriage. Zimbabwe recognizes three types of marriage laws, including unregistered traditional marriages. There are reports of underage marriages, especially in rural areas.
http://genderindex.org/country/zimbabwe

Support for recognition by the State of Israel of all marriage alternatives, including civil, Conservative and Reform

Preferred form of Marriage today (in the framework of “common law” couples)

Preferred form of Marriage if the State of Israel were to equally recognize all the alternatives

Facts, Figures and Personal Stories

Illustrative photo: Tara McMullen

Hiddush Research and data on freedom of marriage and personal stories of couples who chose to marry outside the Rabbinate

Illustrative photo: Tara McMullen

There are several methods that are employed around the world to legally recognize same-sex partnerships The most prevalent methods are marriage and civil union. Civil unions usually provide the couple with specific rights, similar to the ones that married couples receive, but they do not necessarily enjoy all of the same rights that heterosexual couples do.

Why is Marriage Freedom needed in Israel

A video that introduces you to Israeli couples who cannot or will not marry in Israel, along with subject matter experts and celebrities. Herein are the faces, voices, and reasons for why marriage freedom must be allowed. Watch now and then sign the petition to the heads of Israel's civil political parties.

Watch the video »

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