Colombia moves closer to banning child marriage to protect vulnerable girls and fight modern slavery
A landmark bill to ban child marriage in Colombia represents progress in protecting children’s rights.
This historic bill, ‘They are Girls, Not Wives’ prohibits marriage under the age of 18 and offers vital support programs to prevent early unions.
Child marriage is a key driver of modern slavery in Colombia, disproportionately affecting girls from minority groups.
Harmful cultural practices, gender inequality, and economic dependence on men contribute to child marriage risks.
“Indigenous girls aged 15-19 are especially vulnerable due to harmful traditions tied to puberty. Gender-based violence further increases the risks for Indigenous and Afro-descendant girls,” Walk Free’s Research and Policy Analyst Maria Collazos explains.
“An estimated 397,000 people in Colombia live in modern slavery, according to our Global Slavery Index. This means that for every 1,000 people in the country, 7.8 are living in modern slavery.”
Colombia has the 5th highest prevalence of modern slavery in the Americas, following Venezuela, Haiti, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
Addressing the root causes of child marriage
Latin America and the Caribbean have the world’s 2nd highest rates of adolescent pregnancies.
In Colombia, child marriage has not significantly declined in 25 years, mirroring regional trends.
Over 4,400 pregnancies were reported among Colombian girls and adolescents from 2022 to 2023.
57.8% of these pregnancies involved girls aged 10-14, often with adult men, which is a severe act of sexual violence.
Why Latin America needs action on child marriage
The bill banning child marriage emerged after 8 failed legislative attempts.
Women leaders and feminist collectives mobilised communities to bring this issue to national attention.
The legislation represents a victory for grassroots activism and collaboration across all political parties.
Indigenous leader and Pacto Histórico congresswoman Martha Peralta advocated for a cultural transition in Indigenous practices.
She highlighted the challenges posed by longstanding traditions and called for culturally sensitive policies.
“I support the bill, but I am also aware that these public policies must foster a cultural transition within our Indigenous communities,” Congresswoman Peralta said.
“I come from a mother who is now 50 years old, but when she had my older brother, she was 13, and when she had me, she was 15… At that time, my father was 63 years old.”
Next steps to finalise Colombia’s child marriage ban and protect vulnerable girls
The bill now requires approval by President Gustavo Petro to become law.
This law would reinforce Colombia’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable populations.
It offers hope for girls at risk of exploitation, gender-based violence, and early unions.
The success of this legislation will set a significant precedent for Latin America.
President Petro must act swiftly to secure this vital protection for Colombian children.
