In significant progress toward protecting the rights of children and adolescents, the Colombian Congress finally approved a bill prohibiting child marriage and forced early unions.
News Colombia.
It is a fact, child marriage in Colombia is eliminated. This Wednesday, November 13, the Congress of the Republic approved the last debate. This is a significant advance in policies to protect the rights of children and adolescents.
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Under this motto #SonniñasNoesposas, the bill, which received unanimous support from legislators in its last vote, puts an end to a practice that has been legally tolerated in the country until now. Once President Gustavo Petro signs the law, it will become the Law of the Republic.
What does the bill seek?
The approval of this law, which was achieved after several failed attempts in the past, has a direct impact on the Civil Code, specifically on a article which since 1887 allowed the marriage of minors under 18 years of age if they had the consent of their parents.
The new legislation eliminates that provision, prohibiting marriage and early unions with minors, regardless of parental authorization.
This legislative advance has been supported by various groups in Congress, including both the ruling party and the opposition, which reflects a broad consensus around the need to eradicate this practice.
Thus, the project, authored by representatives Alexandra Vásquez and Jennifer Pedraza, and with the positive presentation of Senator Clara López.
In their interventions, both speakers highlighted that this law seeks to avoid the devastating consequences of child marriages and forced unions, which in many cases result in physical, psychological and economic violence for the young women involved. “They are girls, not wives,” said Clara López, a slogan that has become a symbol of the campaign against child marriage in Colombia.
They are girls, not wives.
With the new law, Congress also opens the door so that girls, boys and adolescents who are currently in marriages or de facto unions can cancel those commitments.
In this way, not only is future child marriage prohibited, but it is also offered a solution for those already trapped in these situations.
Today we made history for the children of Colombia!
Thanks to each of the people who joined us, Congress approved the bill to eliminate child marriage. This is a triumph for everyone.
Thanks to the organizations that fought, to the people who… pic.twitter.com/GZfR656Xmq— Jennifer Pedraza Sandoval (@JenniferPedraz) November 14, 2024
