The authorities of Saudi Arabia after many years of discussions have introduced a ban on child marriage, setting the legal age for marriage to be at least 18 years old, RIA Novosti reported referring to Saudi Gazette.

According to him, Saudi Justice Minister Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani sent the new law to all local courts.

If a teenager under 18 wants to get married, special courts will give permission for this. They will decide whether an early marriage will negatively affect the young newlywed and their future.

According to the World Economic Forum, 117 countries around the world allow children to marry under certain circumstances or have not determined by law the age of marriage. According to UNICEF, 39,000 children marry daily in the world.