Colombian lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill that effectively bans child marriage (those involving children under the age of 18).
The ban marks the end of a 17-year campaign wherein lawmakers pushed and failed eight times to get the bill through the South American country's House and Senate. The bill's passing occurred following a five-hour debate.
The legislation, called "They are Girls, Not Wives," makes Colombia one of the 12 countries out of the 33 in Latin America and the Caribbean to prohibit child marriages, according to The Guardian.
How Does the Ban Work?
Under the new legislation, minors may not be married even if they receive consent from their parents. Minors will also no longer be deemed to be in an "informal marital union" if they cohabit with their partner for two years.
Furthermore, the law would prohibit higher authorities, such as judges and notaries, from legalizing marriages involving anyone under the age of 18. There are no legal exceptions to the bill, which means even tribes where child marriages are used as a rite of passage for girls are subject to the law. The Wayuu tribe, for example, marries off their young girls after their first menstrual cycle.
To date, there are 4.5 million girls and women in Colombia who were married before they turned 18. Of those, at least 1 million married before they were 15, per data from UNICEF.
Child marriages can be detrimental to the health and wellness of young girls. UNICEF data show that they are more vulnerable to domestic violence and less likely to complete their education. They are also at higher risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth.
In addition to banning child marriage, the bill will also require the creation and introduction of policies, including education, to address the root cause of marriages involving minors.
When Will the Bill Go into Effect?
After passing Colombia's House and Senate, the bill will now be sent to the table of President Gustavo Petro. While he is widely expected to ratify the bill, it is unclear when Petro will sign the legislation into law.
