The Colombian Congress has taken a historic step by approving one of the most comprehensive laws in Latin America and the Caribbean to ban child marriage and early unions (CMEU).<\/p>\n
The Colombian Congress has taken a historic step by approving one of the most comprehensive laws in Latin America and the Caribbean<\/b> to ban child marriage and early unions (CMEU). This law not only raises the minimum age to 18 years without exceptions, but also incorporates the creation of a National Comprehensive Program for Life Projects for Children and Adolescents<\/b>, with a strong focus on prevention.<\/p>\n
This decisive step represents a monumental victory for the rights and wellbeing of children and adolescents in Colombia. The law, awaiting sanctioning by President Gustavo Petro,<\/b> has been championed by civil society and Girls Not Brides<\/i> member organisations in Colombia like Profamilia<\/a> and GENFAMI<\/a>, alongside international partners such as Girls Not Brides<\/i>, Plan Internacional,<\/a> Equality Now<\/a>, and congresswomen Jennifer Pedraza<\/a> and Alexandra V\u00e1squez<\/a> – an exemplary of collective work to address this issue in the region.<\/p>\n This is such a comprehensive bill, and by approving it, you are indeed pioneering. It\u2019s a law that not only sets the minimum age for marriage but also focuses on prevention and support. This sends a clear message that the government and people of Colombia value their children and adolescents and is a powerful signal to the world that Colombia\u2019s youth are important.<\/i><\/p>\n Faith Mwangi-Powell, CEO of Girls Not Brides, at the First World Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children (5 October 2024).<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The passing of this law is only the beginning. We urge the Colombian government to ensure its effective implementation and funding,<\/b> particularly through the National Comprehensive Program for Life Projects for Children and Adolescents. Girls Not Brides calls on the government to prioritise the following steps:<\/p>\n In Colombia, approximately 23% of girls and adolescents marry or enter unions before the age of 18, reaching rates between 40% and 65% in rural and indigenous communities. This new law is a historic step in favour of the rights, well-being, and autonomy of children and adolescents in Colombia, whose implementing from a comprehensive focus will be crucial to achieving significant change.<\/p>\n
This legislative progress marks only the beginning of the efforts needed<\/b> to address child marriage and early unions in the country. Girls Not Brides<\/i> has supported Profamilia\u2019s advocacy work for the bill. Last week, in the framework of the first Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children<\/a> in Bogota, Colombia, we met with senators and other civil society organisations to highlight the relevance of this legislation.<\/a><\/p>\n\n
What\u2019s next?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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