After 17 years of advocacy efforts and eight unsuccessful attempts, Colombian lawmakers have passed a bill to end child marriage, marking a significant milestone in the country. Following five hours of intense debate over bill end child marriage on Wednesday, lawmakers approved the legislation known as ‘They Are Girls, Not Wives’, which bans marriage for anyone under 18.
“We don’t want to witness ongoing systematic violence and exploitation of children and we wish to end this,” said Jennifer Pedraza, a congresswoman from the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill. “This is a historic achievement for Colombia, finally banning child marriage after multiple tries. It sends a powerful message about our commitment to protecting the rights of children, both in Colombia and globally. The importance of Colombian childhood is something we must safeguard.”
With this law, Colombia joins 11 other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Honduras, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, in banning child marriage entirely. It also closes a 137-year-old loophole in Colombia’s civil code that had previously allowed under-18s to marry with parental consent and recognized two-year cohabitation as a form of informal marriage.
According to UNICEF, about 4.5 million women and girls in Colombia were married before 18, including a million who married before age 15—nearly one in four. Sandra Ramirez, an advisor for Equality Now, explained that removing these exceptions aligns Colombian law with international standards, ensuring better protection for girls and adolescents.
Child marriage disproportionately affects girls, particularly those in poverty or rural and Indigenous communities, where rates are three times higher than for boys. Social and economic progress has done little to reduce child marriage due to a pervasive machista culture, years of internal conflict, and narcoculture influences, says Marta Royo, executive director of Profamilia, a nonprofit advocating for reproductive health. “Patriarchal norms push young girls into motherhood and marriage, sometimes as early as 12, 13, or 14, where their desires and dreams are ignored,” Royo explained.
Despite decades of campaigning, previous bills faced opposition, with some defending the practice on cultural and parental rights grounds, including representatives from over 100 Indigenous communities. Advocacy groups emphasized Colombia’s legal obligations to eliminate child marriage as a signatory of international agreements on violence against women. These marriages are often between impoverished young girls and older men with more economic power, leaving girls with little say.
Research shows that child marriage links to poverty, early pregnancy, school dropout, and domestic violence. “These girls sacrifice everything: their education, their dreams, and the chance to shape their lives,” added Senator María José Pizarro.
The bill also requires the government to implement policies, including education initiatives, to address the underlying causes of child marriage. “This is a historic step forward, but challenges remain,” said Ramirez. “Effective public policy will be essential for ensuring the real impact of this legislation, centered on the voices and needs of girls and adolescents.”
