BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Colombia made a historic move to protect its youngest citizens by prohibiting child marriage. After nearly two decades of passionate campaigning, the Colombian Congress passed legislation prohibiting marriage before the age of 18, closing a 137-year-old gap in the country’s civil code. This decisive action makes Colombia one of only 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries that completely outlaw child marriage.
The legislation, known as “They Are Girls, Not Wives,” is the culmination of 17 years of tireless advocacy by human rights organizations and policymakers. Jennifer Pedraza, a congressman for the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill, praised the accomplishment. “Colombia is making history because, for the first time, we have managed to ban child marriage after trying eight times,” Pedraza told reporters. “This is a great message for Colombia and the world. Colombian childhood is important; we have to protect it and care for it.”
Addressing a long-standing issue
For decades, Colombia allowed minors to marry with parental authorization, with informal unions recognized after two years of cohabitation. These loopholes made girls particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. According to UNICEF, one-fourth of Colombian women marry before the age of 18, with one million marrying before the age of 15.
This statute directly addresses a damaging legacy associated with poverty, gender inequality, and deeply entrenched cultural norms. Marta Royo, executive director of the NGO Profamilia, stressed cultural expectations for young girls. “We live in an extremely patriarchal society where there is a deep division between what a man wants and a girl wants,” she explained. “It is totally normalized to make girls of 12, 13, 14 not just into wives but into mothers.”
Regional and global implications
Colombia joins Honduras, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic in establishing a regional precedent. As Sandra Ramirez, adviser for Latin America for Equality Now, noted, “Eliminating these exceptions aligns Colombian law with international standards and guarantees the full protection of the rights of girls and adolescents.”
Even after decades of social progress, Latin America has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. Poverty and machista (male chauvinist) culture often perpetuate the practice. Colombia has taken an important step toward eliminating this systemic issue by finally banning child marriage.
Empowering the next generation
Child marriage has long been associated with early pregnancies, school dropouts, and domestic violence. Girls who marry early are frequently denied the freedom to determine what they do with their own lives. Senator María José Pizarro highlighted the law’s transformative potential, saying, “These girls abandon everything—their studies, their life projects. The possibility to construct a life for themselves and their children ends completely.”
To guarantee that the legislation leads to actual, meaningful change, it also requires measures that address the underlying causes of child marriage. These include educational campaigns and community involvement efforts aimed at changing cultural views.
Overcoming challenges
The path to passing this bill was far from easy. Advocacy groups encountered strong criticism from those who believed that parental rights and cultural norms should take precedence. Representatives from some of Colombia’s 100+ Indigenous communities raised concerns about how the bill would interfere with their rituals.
Despite these challenges, the bill passed after five hours of heated debate in Congress. Its accomplishment highlights the value of ongoing campaigning and a dedication to aligning national laws with global human rights standards.
A call to action
Colombia’s victory demonstrates the determination of human rights defenders and policymakers who fought diligently for nearly two decades. However, as Ramirez pointed out, “This is a historic moment, but a lot of challenges remain ahead. Public policy now will be crucial, as a change in legislation means little without effective implementation.”
To make this shift a reality, Colombia must place girls and adolescents at the core of its policies. By amplifying their voices and providing education and resources, the country can create a future in which every child is free to dream and flourish.
