The Ukrainian Parliament is to vote on a draft lowering the legal age for marriage to 14 years old

[Jim Burton]

https://tfiglobalnews.com/2026/02/04/th ... edophilia/

A newly registered draft of Ukraine’s Civil Code has triggered widespread debate across social media and international headlines, with claims circulating that the country plans to allow marriage from the age of 14. The proposal, part of a major overhaul of private and family law, would permit marriage at 14 only under very narrow circumstances—specifically when a girl is pregnant or has given birth—while maintaining the general marriage age at 18. As the bill remains in its early stages, experts and rights groups are weighing in on its implications for child protection, gender equality, and Ukraine’s EU integration path.

The draft bill, officially registered as No. 14394 on January 22, 2026, was initiated by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament). Titled the “Civil Code of Ukraine (Code of Private Law),” the document seeks to modernize and consolidate civil legislation, including by incorporating the existing Family Code into a single framework. Among the changes is an update to the rules governing marriage age, outlined in proposed Article 1478 (Chapter 94, “Right to Marriage”).

[Not Forever]

…Honestly, I don’t understand why it should be considered problematic. I mean, what does marriage represent in this context? The moment a guy gets a girl pregnant, he takes responsibility for it through marriage. In itself, it’s a form of protection, both for the child and for the girl. (And vice versa.)

Although I imagine it will be interpreted as “the rapist can marry the underage victim”.

[Bookshelf]

At that point why not just lower it to 14 completely? Right now, doesn't that just... encourage teen pregnancy? If you have two 15 year olds that want to get married but have to wait until 18 and they then find out they can do it early if they get pregnant, they might just go ahead and try to get pregnant.

You can't just bring in half-based measures for these things.