The government has filed a notice of appeal against the High Court decision to strike out all provisions in the Law of Marriage Act, 1971, which allow a girl under 18 years old to get married with her parent’s consent.

In the ruling delivered by Judge Ataulwa Munisi on behalf of two other judges recently, the Court stated that sections 13 and 17 of the Law of Marriage Act, 1971 were unconstitutional.

The High Court gave the judgment following petition No 5 of 2016 filed by Ms Rebecca Gyumi, the founder and director of Children’s Rights Organisation called Msichana Initiative.

However, the government through the Attorney General has filed a notice of appeal against the High Court ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Confirming the appeal, Ms Gyumi lawyer Mr Jebra Kambole said: “My client has received a notice from the Attorney General’s Office, notifying her that the government will appeal against the High Court ruling.”

In the petition, Ms Gyumi, through her lawyer was contending sections 13 and 17 of the Law of Marriage Act, 1971, which allow a girl aged below 18 to marry.

She argued that, the two sections contravened Articles 12, 13 and 18 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania (1977, as amended until 2005), which gives people equal rights before the law and not to be discriminated against.