Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly has said that Egypt is working with African countries to address the problem of early marriage in the continent.

Waly was speaking in a meeting called for by the Zambian president to discuss the problem, a statement by the Social Solidarity Ministry said Tuesday.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Marrying under the age of 18, many females drop out of school and lose any chance of getting a job, not to mention health problems they might face, the statement said.

Waly reviewed a number of Egyptian programs to provide social and economic protections for families.

She made it clear that early-marriage cases can reach up to 16 percent in her country, believing this is a high rate.

Egyptian law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, Waly said, noting this is to guarantee Egyptian women have a chance to complete their education and join the labor market.

Source : Mena