Colombia Bans Child Marriage After 17-Year Effort

The Colombian Congress has approved legislation prohibiting marriage for individuals under 18, pending presidential approval.

Colombian lawmakers have passed a bill to outlaw child marriage, ending a 137-year-old legal loophole that allowed minors to marry with parental consent.
The bill, which still requires the president's signature, aims to protect minors from violence and exploitation, promoting their rights and development opportunities.
Advocacy groups campaigned for 17 years to pass the legislation, which faced significant opposition due to cultural traditions and parental rights.
Colombia joins 12 other Latin American and Caribbean countries in banning child marriage, aligning with international standards for children's rights.
Child marriage in Colombia is linked to poverty, with rates significantly higher among girls, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities.