Indonesian girls can marry at the age of 16 – or even younger should their parents request permission from courts or officials – but the parliament has now agreed to raise and restrict the minimum age at which women can marry to 19.
The new law, which will take place within the next three years, will help curb child marriage in the country, where according to UNICEF, 14% of girls get married before the age of 18.
Girls Not Brides, a global partnership working on ending child marriage, says that Indonesia has the eighth highest number of child brides in the world. Economic problems, social norms, family honor and religious laws are all possible reasons that could force young girls into marriages.
“The Indonesian parliament’s decision is a positive step towards recognizing that girls are entitled to the same opportunities in life as boys,” says Rachel Yates, executive director for Girls Not Brides.
