which is applicable to individuals adhering to Sunni jurisprudence and does not extend to individuals adhering to Jaafari jurisprudence. This ensures that legal positions are equal among individuals and guarantees the protection of the family in society and the rules of justice and equity. 1.8 NIHR agrees with the legislative policy adopted by the government regarding the gradual implementation of raising the age of marriage to 18 years - despite the fact that the provisions of Family Law No. (19) of 2017 and related ministerial resolutions set the age of marriage for both genders at 16 years5. This policy will lead to a decrease in the percentage of marriages of those under the age of eighteen years in the coming years, which is confirmed by reality that indicates that the average age of marriage for females is 24 years6. Right to an Adequate Standard of Living: 1.9 On the other hand, the Kingdom has paid attention to improving the standards of living of women by granting female employees social allowance, similar to male employees, by virtue of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. (77) of 2013 approving the Regulation of Determining Salaries and Employment Benefits and the Eligibility Controls for Employees Governed by the Civil Service Law. (5) Resolution of the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments No. (1) of 2016 regarding the list of Sharia Commissioners and the provisions for documenting instruments related to personal status (http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/Media/LegalPDF/RJIW0116.pdf), amended by Resolution No. (48) of 2016 (http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/Media/LegalPDF/RJIW4816.pdf), specifically Article No. (12) thereof: Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission website: http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh (6) Fourth Periodic Report of the Kingdom of Bahrain, under Article (18) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Document No.: (CEDAW/C/BHR/4, Clause 201, (https://undocs.org/ar/CEDAW/C/BHR/4) “Additional Information” Parallel Report of the National Institution for Human Rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) © 2022 6