The rule prohibits marriage for girls under 17 and boys under 18. In the country the magnitude of "child brides", girls of 8 or 9 given in marriage, usually for economic reasons, to old men.

Sanaa (AsiaNews) - Strictly covered by black niqabs, thousands of Yemeni women protested (pictured) against the law setting the minimum age for marriage: 17 years for women and 18 for men.

The women held banners with slogans such as "Do not prohibit what God has made possible." One of them, commenting on the support for the law by groups of human rights, said: "Many women who are part of these groups are 40 and are not married"

In the country the tradition of "child brides" children of 8 or 9 given in marriage to much older men is widespread, especially in rural areas. The reasons are often economic ones. The tradition came to the attention of international public opinion for a few sensational cases, particularly those of a girl of 12 who died in childbirth with her son and another of 8 who requested and obtained a divorce.