The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
women in the world.

Latest items for MARR-PRACTICE-4

Oct. 10, 2024, 1:33 p.m.
Countries: D R Congo
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

In the DRC, there is a phenomenon of people cohabitating without legal marriage. Without legal marriage, it is usually the man’s family who gets the inheritance, leaving his widow with nothing. Currently, corrupt officials often ask for more than is required for marriage, whether that is drink, food, or something else. The hoops that couples must jump through to get married incentivizes cohabitation.
March 30, 2024, 2:46 p.m.
Countries: Lithuania
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Non-traditional forms of family relations are not recognized in the State party… [N]on-traditional forms of family relations other than marriage [are not recognized], including same-sex and de facto unions" (14).
Oct. 10, 2023, 12:58 p.m.
Countries: South Korea
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Meanwhile, couples in non-traditional partnerships also face discrimination; South Korea does not recognize same-sex marriage and regulations make it difficult for unwed couples to adopt" (para 21).
Sept. 25, 2023, 8:02 a.m.
Countries: Guyana
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Consensual same-sex sexual activity among adult men is illegal under the law and is punishable by up to two years in prison… These laws were not enforced during the year" (11).
Sept. 22, 2023, 8:51 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"On January 23, the National Assembly passed a new penal code that decriminalizes same-sex sexual relations and makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. At year’s end the penal code, which parliament passed in January, had not been published or entered into force" (22).
Aug. 24, 2023, 1:08 a.m.
Countries: Cape Verde
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, AOM-PRACTICE-1

"[T]he harmful practice of early de facto unions, which amount to child marriage, affecting girls as young as 12 years of age [is a concern]" (5). "[G]irls under 18 years of age sometimes live in de facto unions, which is similar to child marriage... [T]he Civil Code recognizes de facto unions of persons older than 19 years of age who have lived together for at least three years, which in practice legitimizes de facto unions for children as young as 16 years of age" (14).
Aug. 15, 2023, 6:17 a.m.
Countries: Cote D'Ivoire
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, ATDW-PRACTICE-1

"The Committee appreciates the efforts made by the State party to amend discriminatory provisions of the Criminal Code and of the Marriage Act (CEDAW/C/CIV/4, para. 30). The Committee nevertheless notes with concern that: (a) A high percentage of marriages are not formally registered, leaving women without economic protection upon dissolution of the union" (14).
June 27, 2023, 11:16 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"The law criminalizes public indecency and consensual same-sex sexual relations between adult men or women, with penalties that include imprisonment of six months to three years and a fine of dinars 1,000 to dinars 10,000 ($8.50 to $85). The law also stipulates penalties that include imprisonment of two months to two years and fines of dinars 500 to dinars 2,000 ($4.25 to $17) for anyone convicted of having committed a “homosexual act.” If a minor is involved, the adult may face up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of dinars 10,000 ($85) ... LGBTI status is not, in itself, criminalized; however, LGBTI persons may face criminal prosecution under legal...more
June 18, 2023, 9:21 a.m.
Countries: Malta
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Malta, which joined the EU in 2004, likes to boast of its liberal credentials. After the (long overdue) legalisation of divorce in the country in 2011, it has since become possible for gay couples to marry, and for transgender people easily to update their birth records to reflect their chosen gender" (Para.11).
Jan. 6, 2023, 4:36 p.m.
Countries: Australia
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"A couple can still be in a de facto relationship, even if they don't live together, according to a precedent-setting court ruling. The landmark ruling, from the High Court of Australia, also means judges can deem a couple has involuntarily broken up if one person is self-serving enough to 'not make necessary allowances' for their partner" (para 1-2). "The significant case, named Fairbairn v Radecki, looked at what exactly constituted the breakdown of a de facto relationship. It also has implications for married couples that might be keeping a mistress on the side after the High Court ruled a couple does not need to be living together for the law...more
Dec. 26, 2022, 5:35 p.m.
Countries: Qatar
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, MARR-LAW-2

"[Qatar is] a place where homosexuality is illegal and even punishable by death" (para 2).
March 25, 2022, 8:54 p.m.
Countries: United Arab Emirates
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, MARR-LAW-2

"Both civil law and sharia criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity. Under sharia individuals who engage in consensual same-sex sexual conduct could be subject to the death penalty. Dubai’s penal code allows for up to a 10-year prison sentence for conviction of such activity, while Abu Dhabi’s penal code allows for up to a 14-year prison sentence. There were no reports of arrests or prosecutions for consensual same-sex activity" (32).
Jan. 6, 2022, 12:09 p.m.
Countries: Somalia
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Same sex marriages are not allowed in Somalia" (1).
Sept. 22, 2021, 10:41 a.m.
Countries: Afghanistan
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"The Committee remains concerned that many marriages and divorces are not registered in the State party, and notes with concern that the Civil Code does not stipulate the non-validity of unregistered marriages" (16). "[T]he Committee urges the State party: (a) To repeal all discriminatory provisions against women, in particular articles 71 (1), 86, 135 to 145, 218, 252, 256, 268, 2007 and 2019 of the Civil Code and articles 91, 99 (2), 99 (3), 158 to 161, 132, 219 and 222 of the Shia Personal Status Law; (b) To ensure that the draft family law and the draft registration of marriage and divorce law provide for equal rights of women...more
Sept. 13, 2021, 2:24 p.m.
Countries: China
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"In October a gay man [in Hong Kong] sued the government because public housing rules did not allow his male spouse, whom he married overseas, to live with him because the rules only recognize opposite-sex partners as spouses" (128).
Aug. 20, 2021, 1:37 p.m.
Countries: Cambodia
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"No law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual conduct, nor was there official discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons; however, societal discrimination persisted, particularly in rural areas" (25).
July 9, 2021, 11:47 a.m.
Countries: Qatar
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Homosexuality can be punished by death and any public display of affection is against the law. Men outnumber women by more than three to one"(para 7).
March 13, 2021, 6:19 p.m.
Countries: Rwanda
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"When gospel singer Albert Nabonibo came out as gay in August 2019, the then-foreign affairs minister publicly expressed support for him" (para 11).
March 13, 2021, 6:09 p.m.
Countries: Nigeria
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Nigerian law criminalizes same-sex conduct as well as public show of same-sex amorous relationships, same-sex marriages, and the registration of gay clubs, societies, and organizations" (para 24). "In January, Lagos state police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, through her private Instagram account warned gay people to leave Nigeria or risk prosecution under the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act" (para 25). "A Sharia (Islamic law) court in Kano in January fined 11 women charged under the state’s Immoral Acts law for allegedly planning a same-sex wedding. The victims were arrested in December, 2018 by local religious police, known as Hisbah" (para 26).
March 13, 2021, 5:39 p.m.
Countries: Kenya
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"In May, the High Court upheld sections of the penal code that punish consensual same-sex relations with up to 14 years in prison" (para 21). "LGBT refugees and asylum seekers from neighboring countries faced attacks both in Kakuma refugee camp and in Nairobi neighborhoods. In June, police forcibly returned a group of LGBT asylum seekers from Nairobi to Kakuma, despite admissions from UNHCR that it could not ensure their safety in the camp" (para 23).
March 13, 2021, 2:37 p.m.
Countries: Eritrea
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, MARR-LAW-2

"Same-sex relations are prohibited" (para 23).
Feb. 8, 2021, 9:56 p.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Anyone refusing to employ or provide services to individuals based on their sexual orientation may face up to two years’ imprisonment" (para 10).
Feb. 8, 2021, 9:01 p.m.
Countries: Uzbekistan
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, especially beatings and torture of men perceived to be gay, occur with regularity and are often recorded and posted online. In August, an Istanbul-based LGBT activist, Shohruh Salimov, along with others, sent a public appeal to President Mirziyoyev asking him to scrap article 120 and protect the lives of LGBT people. Instead of investigating the attacks, police visited his relatives’ home and threatened to arrest him. LGBT activists told Human Rights Watch they constantly fear arrest and being disowned by family and friends" (para 17).
Feb. 8, 2021, 7:46 p.m.
Countries: Turkey
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"In April, an Ankara court lifted the Ankara governor’s blanket ban in effect since November 2017 on public events by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights groups. However, bans on events in the city and in other cities around Turkey continue on a systematic basis demonstrating a repressive approach on LGBT rights. The Istanbul annual Pride march was banned for the fifth year, and other pride marches in cities such as Antalya and Izmir were also banned" (para 22).
Feb. 6, 2021, 12:25 p.m.
Countries: Ireland
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Same-sex marriage is legally recognised in Northern Ireland from today. Following a legal change last autumn, same-sex couples can now register to marry and the first ceremonies will take place next month. Those who are already married will have their marriage legally recognised in Northern Ireland. Heterosexual couples will also be able to enter into civil partnerships from today. But same sex couples in a civil partnership will not yet be able to convert it to a marriage in the province - the Northern Ireland Office is set to begin a consultation on the matter later this year. The status of same sex marriage and of abortion in Northern Ireland...more
Feb. 4, 2021, 6:11 p.m.
Countries: Turkey
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"The dowry wasn’t much to pay for Eren’s well-off family, just 30 grams of gold in bangles worth $1200. Abdul wanted his father to ask for ten times that much. When Eren’s father said, 'I will treat her like my third daughter,' it cinched the deal" (para 22).
Feb. 4, 2021, 2:06 p.m.
Countries: India
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"The Committee is concerned, however, about the… Criminalization of same-sex relationships, as referred to in the ruling of the Supreme Court (Suresh Kumar Koushal and another v. NAZ Foundation, 2013)" (3).
Jan. 31, 2021, 3:04 p.m.
Countries: Australia
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4, MARR-LAW-2

"We welcome the legalisation of marriage equality in December 2017" (17).
Jan. 18, 2021, 3:50 p.m.
Countries: France
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"SOS Homophobie, an NGO said it received 66 percent more reports of physical attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people for 2018 compared to 2017" (para 8). "In October, the National Assembly adopted a bill allowing lesbian couples and single women to access fertility treatments available only to heterosexual couples. It was before the Senate at time of writing" (para 11).
Jan. 18, 2021, 2:27 p.m.
Countries: Malaysia
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-4

"Three transgender women were killed between November 2018 and January 2019. No one has been convicted in any of the killings. Eight men have been charged in the brutal beating of a transgender woman in Negeri Sembilan in August 2018. The victim suffered broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, and head injuries. The case remained pending at time of writing" (para 18).