Options, Not Sanctions: Non-Punitive Approaches to Addressing Child, Early and Forced Marriages and Unions (CEFMU) in Mexico

In Mexico, child, early and forced marriages and unions (CEFMU) continue to affect the lives, rights and futures many children and adolescents, having a national prevalence of 21%, particularly those facing intersecting forms of discrimination linked to poverty, racism, and gender inequality. While legal reforms have prohibited marriage under the age of 18 without exception, these measures have not addressed the structural and cultural factors that perpetuate these practices.

This document aims to contribute to the development of criteria for addressing CEFMU from a non-punitive perspective that prioritises human rights, progressive autonomy, and the evolving capacities of children and adolescents. It seeks to present an approach that goes beyond criminal sanctions, focusing instead on transforming the root causes of the problem through a combination of legal, policy, and social change strategies.

It offers:

• An analysis of existing legal frameworks and public policies.
  
• Insights and knowledge from community-based and national organisations.
  
• Perspectives and testimonies from children and adolescents in rural, Indigenous and urban contexts.
  

Developed as both a research and practical tool, the document is designed primarily to support members of the Girls Not Brides in Mexico, and also to guide decision-makers responsible for designing and implementing public policies and programmes.

The first section presents the conceptual and analytical foundations, identifying the characteristics of CEFMU in the areas studied, the structural and symbolic factors that sustain them, and their impacts across different dimensions of development. The second section examines current strategies implemented by governmental institutions and civil society organisations, highlighting effective actions, common limitations, and lessons learned.

The final section offers practical guidance for policy and programme design, including differentiated pathways for prevention, support, and reintegration. This is intended as a resource for officials, organisations, and communities seeking to address CEFMU in ways that are respectful, effective, and transformative — ensuring the agency and rights of all children and adolescents.