They’re Girls, Not Wives: Colombia Passes Law Banning Child Marriage

After years of political obstacles, Colombia’s Congress has finally passed a law banning child marriage, ending a practice that allowed minors to marry as young as 14 with parental consent. The bill, which passed in the final legislative debate, now awaits the signature of President Gustavo Petro, who is expected to ratify it, making Colombia one of a dozen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to outright ban marriages involving minors.

The legislation, led by representatives Jennifer Pedraza of the Dignity and Commitment Party and Alexandra Vásquez of the governing Historic Pact Coalition, faced several setbacks after failing eight times in previous congressional sessions. The new law will prohibit judges and notaries from legalizing marriages involving anyone under 18, remove legal exceptions and strengthen Colombia’s commitment to protecting children from exploitation and forced unions.

“With this bill, child marriage is effectively removed from the civil code,” Pedraza said in a statement. “Until today, children could legally marry at 14 with parental consent, which unfortunately had created a market where young girls in particular were traded in exchange for livestock, land and other resources.” The lawmaker celebrated the bill’s passage as a “historic moment for Colombia’s children.”

According to UNICEF, Colombia is among the top 20 countries globally in terms of the number of early marriages. In 2015, almost one in four Colombian women had married before the age of 18, and a significant number were married even younger. Expressing her gratitude to supporters, Pedraza stated on social media: “Thank you to everyone who joined us, Congress has passed the bill to end child marriage. This is a victory for all of us. #TheyAreGirlsNotWives is now a reality that protects our girls’ right to a full childhood.”

In addition to banning child marriage, the new law promotes a preventative approach that encourages minors to pursue their personal goals before considering marriage. Representative Vásquez emphasized that the legislation applies universally throughout Colombia, stating, “No community is exempt. This was a collaborative effort with the added benefit of strengthening the protection of minors’ rights.” The politician also highlighted that the law was carefully crafted to include outreach and education campaigns aimed at helping young people understand their life options beyond early marriage.

Cultural and indigenous practices

The debate surrounding the new law included controversies about Colombia’s indigenous communities, where cultural norms and practices around marriage vary widely. Senator Martha Peralta of the Historic Pact party and a member of the Wayúu people expressed concern about how the law would affect societies such as the matriarchal Wayúu, where marriage and early motherhood are widely accepted rites of passage for girls after their first menstrual cycle.

“As a member of a culture where girls are considered adults at their first period, I support this bill, but I also recognize that public policy must support cultural transitions within our indigenous population,” Peralta said. She noted that these changes could affect cultural practices that have endured for generations.

The original spokeswoman emphasized that the law includes a provision for indigenous community involvement in education initiatives and prevention campaigns. “We aim to build a culturally respectful approach to protecting children’s rights, including working with indigenous communities,” she said, adding that while indigenous perspectives are considered, the ban is national and has no exceptions.

The law now brings Colombia in line with other Latin American and Caribbean nations that have banned marriage under the age of 18, such as Honduras, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. This makes Colombia one of only 12 countries in the hemisphere to take such a stance on child marriage, and joins the broader global effort to end child unions that have harmful consequences for health, education and personal development.

The consequences of child marriage can be serious. UNICEF data shows that child brides are more vulnerable to domestic violence and less likely to complete their education. They face increased risks of poverty, poor health and lack of autonomy, conditions that can extend to their children and strain public health and education systems. Studies show that girls who are married before the age of 18 face a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, conditions that worsen during adolescence, when their bodies are not fully mature.

The United Nations estimates that globally one in five girls are married before reaching adulthood. “Despite steady progress in reducing child marriage, recent crises such as conflict, climate change and the lingering effects of COVID-19 threaten to undo years of progress,” UNICEF said. Child marriage often isolates girls from family support, affecting mental health and increasing their chances of experiencing lifelong economic disadvantage.

With an estimated 4.5 million Colombian girls and women married before 18 — about one in four — advocates say the new law marks a critical step toward gender equality in Colombia. Pedraza, Vásquez and their supporters believe the legislation will help protect girls’ rights and give them more opportunities to make decisions about their futures. “This is not just a victory for us,” Pedraza emphasized, “it is a victory for Colombia’s children and youth, who now have a stronger foundation to build their lives.”