In the Marriage Bill of Bhutan 2024, the National Council’s NREC has approved two of the NA’s altered provisions, added nine new ones, and further changed fourteen existing ones. This was disclosed by NREC Chairperson Kelzang Lhundup when he introduced the Marriage Bill of Bhutan 2024. According to Kelzang Lhundup, the Marriage Act of Bhutan 1980 is more than forty years old and no longer accurately reflects the nation’s contemporary situation, hence the revision was required. According to him, the amendment’s main goal was to combat the growing divorce rate, which has important societal repercussions. After being passed by the NA in the first session of the Fourth Parliament, the Bill was sent to the NC for additional consideration.
The NA’s restrictions under Sections 1.11 and 1.14, which forbid the granting of marriage licenses to anybody younger than 18 and seek to prevent early weddings, were approved by the NREC. The gaw system is one significant change. The NC members agreed that these initiatives were well-intentioned. 12.4 percent of Bhutanese people live in poverty, according to certain members, who also underlined the necessity for the law to take different socioeconomic circumstances into account. Lack of commitment, extensive argumentation, adultery, young marriage, inequity, and inadequate marital preparation are the primary reasons for divorce in Bhutan.