Colombia has finally passed a law to ban child marriage.
Schoolgirls in school uniform waving and posing in front of the camera during recess at El Retiro, a catholic school located in a neighborhood with high criminality rate.
A loophole in the law had allowed children aged 14 and older to marry as long as they had their parent’s consent.
A young teenage girl holds her baby while waiting to cross the street in the suburban area of Villa Santana which is a poor neighborhood with a high rate of poverty, crime and violence. (Photo by Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
As a result, about 23% of girls were married before they are 18.
Via X
But on Wednesday Nov. 13, lawmakers approved a bill to ban children under 18 from getting married.
Via X
The bill was passed after more than 17 years of campaigning, and at least eight failed attempts to pass the legislation.
up without fear" during an anti-government march for the fifth consecutive day against the government of President Ivan Duqueon November 25, 2019 in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria Schweizer/Getty Images)
It also aims to establish educational programs to prevent child marriage and support young people.
Women take part during the international women's day demonstrations in Bogota, Colombia on March 8, 2023. Photo by: Perla Bayona/Long Visual Press
The opposition had previously campaigned against the change, citing cultural and traditional practices, particularly among Indigenous communities and some religious groups.
Two young Embera Indian girls laugh joyfully in a school classroom in Guapa village on February 18, 2019 in San Antonio del Chami, Colombia. (Photo by Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)
The legislation will now go to the president to be signed into law.
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
