A Major Victory for Child Protection in Colombia

Here's the edited blog post:A Major Victory for Child Protection in ColombiaIn November, Colombian politicians made history by approving a bill to ban underage marriage, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to protect children and adolescents. This long-overdue reform has been years in the making, with lawmakers from all parties working together to overhaul legislation that has been in place since 1887.A Persistent IssueAccording to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), one in five girls aged between 14 and 18 is already in a union. This practice, which has deep roots in Colombian culture, not only violates children's rights but also perpetuates gender-based violence, poverty, and discrimination.A Robust Public PolicySenator Clara López emphasized the significance of this approval: "This law not only prohibits underage marriage but also sets in motion a robust public policy that reflects changing customs and raises awareness among the population about the harm caused to children and adolescents by these unions."Advancing Children's RightsUN Women in Colombia praised the decision, with Head Bibiana Aido Almagro noting: "These practices severely affect the rights to life, health, education, and integrity of women and girls and negatively impact their development." Andrea Tague Montaña, gender and development officer at UNICEF in Colombia, echoed these sentiments: "Child marriages and early unions are harmful practices that lead to gender violence and poverty. They reinforce discrimination and undermine the idea that children deserve protection and opportunities."The Impact on GirlsBy entering into an unequal power relationship with older partners, girls have few opportunities to make decisions about their own bodies, education, and careers. Instead, they are often forced into adult roles, including child labor, domestic work, and caregiving.A Call to ActionAndrea Tague Montaña urged society to stop normalizing early unions: "Girls do not stop being girls because they are living with a man." She emphasized the importance of recognizing that underage marriage is a violation of children's rights. The bill also establishes measures to strengthen national public policy on childhood and adolescence, including actions to restore the rights of children and adolescents affected by underage marriages and unions.A New EraThe new law will come into effect once it is signed by President Gustavo Petro. This landmark decision marks a significant step forward for child protection in Colombia and sets an important precedent for other countries grappling with similar issues.Changes made: Improved tone to be more professional and polished Minor grammatical errors corrected Sentence structure varied to improve readability Emphasized the significance of the milestone and its impact on children's rights Removed direct quotes that were not necessary to convey the message

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