| School-leaving age |
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82. In accordance with article 28 of the Convention, Gabonese legislation,
in Act No. 16/66 of 9 August 1966 on the general organization
of education, defines the fundamental principles underlying the functioning
of the educational system, including free schooling, compulsory education between the
ages of 6 and 16, and equal opportunities for boys and girls. |
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| Minimum age of employment |
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250. Article 177 of the Gabonese Labour
Code (Act. No. 3/94 of 21 November 1994) stipulates that
children cannot be employed in any enterprise
before the age of 16 years, unless dispensation
has been granted by decree at the joint initiative of
the Ministers of Labour, Public Health and National
Education, with due account taken of the circumstances and of the
tasks which they may be asked to
perform.
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| Minimum age for marriage |
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71. The traditional concept of marriage
differs from that of marriage under civil law. According to
the traditional concept, the protection of the child within
marriage meant that marriage was not a matter for the couple
as such; rather, parents or family chose their children’s
spouses, whatever the children’s ages. Children aged 10 could
therefore be married. The girl was entrusted to the boy’s
family and grew up with him.
72. Under civil law, men cannot get married
until they are over 18 years old, and women must be over 15
(Civil Code, art. 203). However, the President of the Republic
may grant dispensation from the age requirement if there are
good grounds for doing so. The insane may marry only during a
period of lucidity, with the authorization of their guardian
and after a favourable recommendation from a psychiatrist or,
failing that, a doctor (art. 204).
74. Even when they meet the age
requirements, young men or women who have not reached the age of
21 cannot get married without the consent of their father
and mother or guardian (Civil Code, art.
205). |
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| Minimum age for criminal responsibility |
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76.
A child under the age of 13 is not criminally
liable, however serious the acts committed
(Penal Code, art. 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, art.
145, prohibiting imprisonment of a child under
13). |
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