Early Marriage Is Still There in Lebak, the Government Urges the Community to Be Wise
LEBAK - The Lebak Regency Government (Pemkab), Banten, appeals to the public not to marry children at a young age, because they are at risk of not only death but also divorce, to give birth to stunting or dwarfism experienced by children due to failure to grow.
The Head of the Population and Family Planning Control Field of the Population Control, Family Planning, Women Empowerment and Child Protection Office (DP2KBP3A) of Lebak Regency, Tuti Nurasiah in Lebak, Wednesday, said that currently the case of child marriage in this area is still considered high as seen from the number of births in adolescents aged 15-19 years.
Although he did not have exact data, the indicator used was the Age Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) for ages 15-19. In 2021, the ASFR figure in Lebak was recorded at 33.8 percent and the figure dropped to 30 percent in 2022, but rose again to 32.2 percent in 2023.
Then in 2024, the latest analysis results showed a figure of 27.7 percent. Out of every 100 births, about 27 births occur at the age of 15 to 19 years.
"I think the number of young marriages is quite high and risky," he said.
According to Tuti, the cause of the high number of young marriages is due to various factors, including economic problems, education, community culture, and topography.
Tuti said that the regional government is currently campaigning to get married at the ideal age for women 21 years old and 25 years old for men. Marriage at this age, the couple has the maturity to build a strong household and have good resilience.
In addition to it, the bride's name can be entered into the Electronic Ready to Marry and Ready to Pregnant (Elsimil) application.
Couples who enter the Elsimil application three months before marriage must be given guidance, including guidance on reproductive health planning, as well as religious guidance.
Prospective brides and grooms can attend special pre-marital programs organized by BKKBN, the Health Office, and the local Religious Affairs Office (KUA).
"We believe that the premarital program, how they can build a strong household by having a permanent job and having a good religious attitude," he said.
His party is now collaborating with community organizations, such as the Center for Information and Counseling for Adolescents (PIK-R), Marriage Age Prevention (PUP), and guidance through the Youth Family Development (BKR).
"We hope that the community will also play an active role in preventing child marriage in order to create a healthy and quality generation towards the Golden Indonesia 2045," said TutiNurasiah as quoted by Antara.