11 of 2010(1) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to
protection by society and the State.
(2) Each member of the family shall enjoy full and equal respect and shall be protected by law
against all forms of neglect, cruelty or exploitation.
(3) All men and women have the right to marry and found a family.
(4) No person shall be forced to enter into marriage.
(5) Subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to all marriages at law, custom and marriages by repute or
by permanent cohabitation.
(6) No person over the age of eighteen years shall be prevented from entering into marriage.
(7) For persons between the age of fifteen and eighteen years a marriage shall only be entered
into with the consent of their parents or guardians.
11 of 2010(8) The State shall actively discourage marriage between persons where either of
them is under the age of fifteen years.
[Ch0000s23]23. Rights of children
11 of 2010(1) All children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, are entitled to equal
treatment before the law, and the best interests and welfare of children shall be a primary consideration
in all decisions affecting them.
(2) All children shall have the right to a given name and a family name and the right to a
nationality.
(3) Children have the right to know, and to be raised by, their parents.
11 of 2010(4) All children shall be entitled to reasonable maintenance from their parents,
whether such parents are married, unmarried or divorced, and from their guardians; and, in addition, all
children, and particularly orphans, children with disabilities and other children in situations of
disadvantage shall be entitled to live in safety and security and, where appropriate, to State assistance.
11 of 2010(5) Children are entitled to be protected from economic exploitation or any
treatment, work or punishment that is, or is likely to—
(a)
be hazardous;
(b)
interfere with their education; or
(c)
be harmful to their health or to their physical, mental or spiritual or social development.
11 of 2010(6) For purposes of this section, children shall be persons under the age of sixteen
years.