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

The legislation, led by Reps. Jennifer Pedraza of the Dignity and Commitment Party, and Alexandra Vásquez of the Government’s Historical Pact coalition, faced multiple setbacks after failing eight times in previous congressional sessions. The new law would ban judges and notaries from legalizing marriages involving anyone under the age of 18, eliminating legal exceptions and strengthening Colombia’s commitment to protect children from exploitation and forced unions.

“This bill effectively removes child marriage from the Civil Code,” Pedraza said in a statement. “Until today, children could legally marry at age 14 with parental consent, which had unfortunately created a market where mainly young girls were traded in exchange for livestock, land and other resources.” The lawmaker celebrated the passage of the bill as a “historic moment for the children of Colombia.”

According to UNICEF, Colombia is among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of the rate of early marriage. In 2015, almost one in four Colombian women were married before turning 18, and a significant number married even younger. Expressing her gratitude to supporters, Pedraza said on social media: “Thanks to everyone who joined us, Congress 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 preventive approach, encouraging minors to pursue their personal goals before considering marriage. Representative Vásquez underlined that the legislation applies universally throughout Colombia, stating: “No community is exempt. This was a joint effort, with the added benefit of strengthening the protection of the rights of minors.” The politician also emphasized that the law has been carefully crafted to include outreach and information campaigns aimed at helping young people understand their life options beyond early marriage.

Cultural and indigenous practices

The debate surrounding the new law has included controversy over Colombia’s indigenous communities, where cultural norms and practices surrounding marriage vary widely. Senator Martha Peralta of the Historic Pact party and member of the Wayúu peoples expressed concern about the law’s impact on communities like 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 that considers girls adults upon their first period, I support this bill, but I also recognize that public policy must support cultural transitions within our Indigenous people,” Peralta said. She noted that these changes could affect cultural practices that have been around for generations.

The indigenous spokeswoman emphasized that the law includes a provision for the involvement of the indigenous community in educational initiatives and prevention campaigns. “We are committed to a culturally respectful approach to protecting the rights of children, 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 into line with other Latin American and Caribbean countries 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 twelve countries in the hemisphere to take such a position on child marriage, joining the broader global effort to end child unions that have harmful effects on 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 an increased risk of poverty, poor health and a lack of autonomy; conditions that could extend to their children and put pressure on public health and education systems. Research shows that girls who are married before the age of 18 have a significantly greater risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. These conditions are exacerbated during adolescence, when their bodies are not yet fully mature.

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

With an estimated 4.5 million Colombian girls and women married before the age of 18 — about one in four — advocates say the new law marks a crucial 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 future. “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 on which to build their lives.”