"A Major Step Forward: Banning Underage Marriage in Colombia

A Major Step Forward: Banning Underage Marriage in ColombiaIn a landmark decision, Colombian lawmakers have approved a bill to overhaul legislation that has been in place since 1887, effectively banning underage marriage. This significant step forward reflects a deep-rooted practice that violates the rights of children and adolescents.Breaking Down BarriersThe approval of this bill marks a major encroachment on harmful practices that have long plagued Colombian society. By prohibiting underage marriage and establishing robust public policies, lawmakers are taking a crucial step towards protecting the rights of children and adolescents.Senator Clara López highlights the importance of this momentous decision: "This approval has been possible because we have gathered consensus from all political parties. It not only implies prohibition but also a robust public policy that reflects changing customs and raises awareness among the population about the great harm done to children and adolescents with marriages and unions."Advancing Children's RightsThe United Nations Women (UN Women) in Colombia has welcomed this news, recognizing it as a significant victory for child protection. According to Bibiana Aido Almagro, Head of UN Women in Colombia: "We want to congratulate Colombia on this magnificent achievement. These practices severely affect the rights to life, health, education, and integrity of women and girls and negatively impact their development."The Human CostAndrea Tague Montaña, Gender and Development Officer at UNICEF in Colombia, emphasizes the devastating consequences of these practices: "Child marriages and early unions are understood as harmful practices that not only lead to gender violence but also cause victims, especially girls, to fall into poverty. They reinforce discrimination and the idea that the best thing that can happen to them is to marry and have children."Empowering GirlsBy entering into an unequal power relationship with older partners, girls are denied opportunities to make decisions about their own bodies, lives, and futures. According to Ms. Montaña: "Girls enter scenarios where, in many cases, they start fulfilling adult women's roles. Child labour, domestic work, and caregiving become their almost daily tasks."Breaking the CycleThe new law aims to break this cycle of oppression by empowering girls and young women to make choices about their own lives. Ms. Montaña stresses: "These are girls who stop studying, who lose their rights by entering an early union. It is important to call on society to stop normalizing early unions; this is a violation of rights. Girls do not stop being girls because they are living with a man."A New EraThe bill also establishes actions to strengthen national public policy on childhood and adolescence, including measures to restore the rights of children and adolescents affected by underage marriages and unions, with a special emphasis on remote rural areas – ensuring that indigenous peoples and other vulnerable communities can take part.ImplementationOnce signed by President Gustavo Petro, the new law will come into effect, marking a significant step forward in the fight for child protection in Colombia. This landmark decision reflects a deep commitment to protecting the rights of children and adolescents in Colombia.ConclusionIn conclusion, the approval of this bill represents a major milestone in the fight for child protection in Colombia. By prohibiting underage marriage and establishing robust public policies, lawmakers are taking a crucial step towards creating a safer, more just society for all. As we look to the future, it is essential that we continue to prioritize the rights and well-being of children and adolescents, ensuring that they can grow up free from harm and exploitation.Keywords: Child protection, underage marriage, Colombia, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), child labour, domestic work, caregiving.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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