Political parties in Colombia have recently approved a bill to reform legislation that has been in place since 1887. This decision reflects the country's changing customs, raising awareness about the harm caused by child marriages and unions. The approval implies not only prohibiting but also implementing robust public policy aimed at protecting children's rights.

Political parties in Colombia have recently approved a bill to reform legislation that has been in place since 1887. This decision reflects the country's changing customs, raising awareness about the harm caused by child marriages and unions. The approval implies not only prohibiting but also implementing robust public policy aimed at protecting children's rights.According to UNICEF, one out of five girls aged between 14 and 18 in Colombia is already married or in a union, highlighting the severity of the issue. Senator Clara Lopez emphasized that all political parties had come together to address this pressing matter.The new legislation aims to protect the rights of women and girls affected by early marriages and unions. It includes measures to restore the rights of children and adolescents who have been victims of such practices. The bill also establishes actions to strengthen national public policy on childhood and adolescence, ensuring that indigenous peoples and other vulnerable communities are included in these efforts.The new law comes into effect once it is signed by President Gustavo Petro. The head of UN Women in Colombia, Bibiana Aido Almagro, congratulated the country on this significant achievement, stating that it would positively impact the development of women and girls.Andrea Tague Montaña, gender and development officer at UNICEF in Colombia, emphasized the negative effects of child marriages and early unions. She warned that these practices lead to gender violence and cause victims, especially girls, to fall into poverty. They also reinforce discrimination and limit opportunities for young people.Ms. Montaña explained that by entering an unequal power relationship with older partners, girls have few options to decide if they want to have sexual relations or how many children they want to have. In many cases, child brides stop studying and become responsible for adult women's roles. They may be forced into early motherhood without adequate resources to care for their children.The new legislation aims to strengthen national public policy on childhood and adolescence, focusing on remote rural areas where underage marriages are prevalent. The bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring that indigenous peoples and other vulnerable communities can take part in these efforts.

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