After several failed attempts, politicians from all walks of life last November approved a bill to review laws dating back to 1887 that reflect deep-rooted practices that violate the rights of children and young people. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)). One in five girls aged 14 to 18 is part of a trade union.
“This approval was possible because we gathered consensus from all parties,” emphasizes Senator Clara López. “This means not only a ban, but strong public policy that reflects changing practices and raises public awareness of the great harm that marriage and unions cause to children and young people.”
Promoting children’s rights
“I want to congratulate Colombia on this amazing news,” said Bibiana Aido Almagro, UN Women Representative in Colombia.
“These practices have serious implications for women and girls’ rights to life, health, education and integrity, and have a negative impact on their development.”
Andrea Tague Montaña, gender and development officer at UNICEF in Colombia, agrees that the decision is a positive move.
“Child marriage and child marriage are understood as harmful practices that not only lead to sexual violence but also plunge victims, especially girls, into poverty,” she warns. “They reinforce discrimination and the idea that the best thing that can happen to them is to get married and have children.”
By creating unequal power relationships with older partners, girls have little opportunity to decide whether they want to have sex, how many children they want to have, or what kind of life they want to lead, Ms. Montagna explains.
“A lot of times they enter a scenario where they start to take on the role of an adult woman. Child labour, domestic work and caregiving have become almost routine,” the UNICEF official added.
“These are girls who have lost their rights by stopping their studies and joining unions early. It is important to urge society to stop early union normalization. This is a violation of rights. “Women don’t stop being women just because they live with a man.”
The bill also establishes measures to strengthen national public policy on childhood and adolescence, including measures to restore the rights of children and young people affected by underage marriages and unions, with a particular focus on remote rural areas and indigenous peoples. and other vulnerable communities.
The new law will take effect once President Gustavo Petro signs it.
