Big step forward for child protection in Colombia as politicians ban underage marriage
In November, after several failed attempts, politicians from all walks of life passed a bill to amend a law in effect since 1887 that reflects a deep-seated practice of violating the rights of children and adolescents. adolescents: according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). One in five girls between the ages of 14 and 18 is in a marriage.
Senator Clara López emphasized: “This approval is possible because we have gathered the consensus of all political parties. “It not only implies a prohibition but also a strong public policy that reflects changing customs and raises awareness among people about the enormous harm to children and adolescents of marriage and live together”.
Activists celebrate the abolition of child marriage at the Colombian Congress.
Promote children’s rights
“We want to congratulate Colombia on this great news,” said Bibiana Aido Almagro, head of Colombia. United Nations Women in Colombia.
“These practices seriously impact the rights to life, health, education and integrity of women and girls, and negatively impact their development.”
Andrea Tague Montaña, UNICEF’s gender and development officer in Colombia, agrees that the decision is a positive move.
“Child marriage and early cohabitation are understood to be harmful practices that not only lead to gender-based violence but also trap victims, especially girls, into poverty,” she warned. “They reinforce discrimination and think the best thing that can happen to them is to get married and have children.”
When engaged in an unequal power relationship with older partners, Ms. Montaña explains, girls have little opportunity to decide whether they want to have sex, how much sex they want, and how much sex they want. children or what kind of life they want to lead.
“They enter situations where, in many cases, they begin to take on the role of adult women. Child labor, housework and caregiving become their almost daily tasks,” the UNICEF official added.
“These are girls who drop out of school and lose their rights when they get married early. It is important to call on society to stop normalizing unions prematurely; This is a violation of rights. Girls don’t stop being girls because they’re living with a man.”
The bill also establishes actions to strengthen national public policy on children and youth, including measures to restore the rights of children and youth affected by marriage and underage marriage. adolescents, with a particular focus on remote rural areas – ensuring that indigenous peoples and other vulnerable communities can participate.
The new law takes effect after being signed by President Gustavo Petro.
