Colombia’s congress has passed a law that formally bans child marriage. Previously, minors aged 14 and older were able to get married with parental consent. This new legislation raises the minimum age for marriage to 18 and proposes development opportunities for minors. Advocates for the law used the phrase “they’re girls, not wives” to explain how child marriage prevents young girls from accessing education and employment. Child marriage is still a worldwide issue, with 12 million girls affected each year. Colombia’s legislation is a promising step in the fight for children’s rights, and lawmakers hope that their landmark decision will encourage other countries where the practice is legal to follow suit in banning it once and for all.
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