DUSHANBE, April 24, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Addressing a joint session of both houses of parliament, President Emomali Rahmon suggested on April 24 that a marriage age for women should be raised from 17 to 18 years.

According to him, this measure will promote improvement of preparation of young people for unassisted life, providing conditions for family life and strengthening of protection rights and interests of children.

The president noted that according to statistics, the number of divorces was increasing in the country.  “Over the past five years, the number of divorces has increased in Tajikistan from 2,900 to 5,850 cases,” said Rahmon, “In 2009, the registry offices registered more than 100,000 marriages.”