The Egyptian Cabinet approved a bill on April 12 that would criminalize marriages between persons under the age of 18, Daily News Egypt reported.

The cabinet statement argued that children are psychologically, culturally, mentally and physically unprepared to take on the responsibility of family and child-rearing, explaining that underage marriage is an "attack on childhood".

The bill provides that a marriage contract with a person under the age of 18 cannot be certified. The document also provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for at least one year and a fine of up to 200,000 Egyptian pounds ($10.8 thousand). Whoever instigates a crime is subject to the same punishment.

The child in these cases is not subject to criminal or civil liability, but the criminal case does not stop over time.

Parents of minors who condone marriage lose custody of the child.