COVID-19 Pandemic Season, Early Marriage In Central Lombok NTB Increases

MATARAM - Cases of child marriage at an early age in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This increase can be seen from the number of married couples who apply for a marriage dispensation at the Praya Religious Court which reaches hundreds of people.

The Junior Registrar at the Praya Religious Court, Salman said, during the January-November 2021 period, 297 minors had applied for a marriage dispensation.

However, from hundreds of cases that apply for marriage dispensation, not all of them are approved or followed up because the age of the bride and groom is too young, namely under 16 years. So that after being studied and following the family process, both parties were asked to postpone their marriage.

"Some were approved by 260 people and the rest were rejected, because they are under 16 years old," he said in Central Lombok as reported by Antara, Monday, November 8.

It is said, the minimum age limit for children to be married according to the law on initial marriage is 16 years. Then a revision was made to Law Number 16 of 2019 that the minimum age is 19 years for both women and men.

"If you look at cases that apply for a marriage dispensation, the number of child marriages during this pandemic is quite high in Central Lombok," he said.

According to him, there are several factors that cause underage marriages, namely, the lack of parental responsibility in caring for their children. In addition, environmental and economic factors as well as early pregnancy can lead to underage marriages.

"That is what is visible now after reviewing several cases that have filed for marriage dispensation," he said.

He also said that cultural factors or customs can sometimes lead to underage marriages, when children come home late at night or don't come home after going out with male friends.

However, when there is a case like that, his party continues to make mediation efforts with both parties so that they are separated.

"As long as it's a positive thing, we'll try to keep mediation or be separated," he said.

The impact of the occurrence of child marriages can lead to an increase in cases of divorce and stunting as well as other health related issues. So that his party also continues to carry out socialization to prevent early marriage or minors.

"Socialization with the village government is still being carried out to reduce the number of underage marriages in Central Lombok," he said.

He also appealed to the public to continue to supervise their children, when they leave the house they must pay attention or avoid being given excessive freedom, so that unwanted mistakes do not occur.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is sometimes uncertain when children enter school. So parents must also be more vigilant in supervising their children," he said.