“The government is seeing what steps can be taken, also in light of the changes that have taken place in our society since the marriage law came into force in our country,” Falzon said.

According to Maltese law, one has to be 18 years of age in order to get married. However, minors who have reached 16 may get married if the parents or guardians consent, or if authorised to do so by the courts. 

It has been a major bone of contention for the United Nations’ Committee for the Rights of the Child, which has long called for the amendment. 

Figures between 2007 and 2017, showed that there were 21 marriages of people aged either 16 or 17. 

However, Malta recently lowered its age of consent to 16 – raising questions over a potential amendment. 

PL MP Amanda Spiteri Grech recently said that fathers aged between 16-18 should be legally recognised as fathers, warning that the current situation contradicts with the recent lowering of the age of consent.

As it stands, if the father is younger than 18, his partner must register herself as a single mother with an unknown father. However, the mother is legally recognised as such regardless of her age.

Should the ban be introduced?