Colombian Senate Approves Comprehensive Law to Prohibit Child Marriage and Early Unions

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). 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, with a strong focus on prevention.

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, has been championed by civil society and Girls Not Brides member organisations in Colombia like Profamilia and GENFAMI, alongside international partners such as Girls Not Brides, Plan Internacional, Equality Now, and congresswomen Jennifer Pedraza and Alexandra Vásquez - an exemplary of collective work to address this issue in the region.

This legislative progress marks only the beginning of the efforts needed to address child marriage and early unions in the country. Girls Not Brides has supported Profamilia’s advocacy work for the bill. Last week, in the framework of the first Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children in Bogota, Colombia, we met with senators and other civil society organisations to highlight the relevance of this legislation.

What’s next?

The passing of this law is only the beginning. We urge the Colombian government to ensure its effective implementation and funding, 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:

• Strengthening the legal and institutional framework – The legal prohibition is just the start. It is essential to improve birth and marriage registration systems and to train key public servants to enforce CMEU laws effectively.
• Investing in protection and rights systems – Ensure comprehensive support and access to health (especially sexual and reproductive health), education, and justice to protect girls and adolescents and support their autonomy.
• Addressing structural causes – Through the Life Opportunities Programme, tackle the socioeconomic and gender inequalities driving child marriage and early unions, focusing on violence and the lack of opportunities for children, adolescents, and women.
• Awareness and Legal Literacy – Promote campaigns on children’s and adolescents' rights and about child marriage and early unions. It is essential for civil society to use these laws to strengthen access to justice and accountability.
• Involving children and adolescents – Include them in decision-making processes for policies that affect their lives and support programmes that strengthen their autonomy and development.

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.