Knock! Bolivian Parliament Passes Child Marriage Ban Law

Marriage illustration. (Rene Terp-Pexels)

JAKARTA - The Bolivian Parliament is taking steps forward by passing laws on the prohibition of marriage and civil ties against minors.

Bolivia is the 14th country in Latin America to implement a similar ban.

"This is not just a law, but a promise that our teenage girls will no longer be forced to marry, drop out of school, or assume responsibilities that are not their responsibility," said a ruling party senator and bill designer on the ban on underage marriage in Bolivia, Virginia Velasco, quoted from AFP.

In the previous Bolivian constitution, the 2014 Law on the terms of marriage prohibits adults from marrying minors if they do not have permission from the parents or guardian concerned.

However, there are now no exceptions for permits, provided that only adults are allowed to marry.

According to the Bolivian Ombudsman Office, there are more than 4,800 marriages involving minors registered from 2014-2023.

The Bolivian parliament on Wednesday passed the amendment to close the gap. The law is currently being sent to the President for promulgation.

According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in addition to Bolivia there are 13 Latin American countries, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador, which prohibit child marriage.