Various Concerns Of The Aceh Besar Syar'iyah Court Release 52 Early Marriage Dispensations: Pregnancy And School Break-up

Illustration - A number of students showed posters of the Indonesian Children's Marriage Stop Movement (VIA ANTARA) campaign

ACEH Besar - Syar'iyah Court Jantho Aceh Besar handled 54 applications for early marriage dispensation within 2022 or slightly decreased compared to 2021 reaching 67 cases. "The number of early marriages in Aceh Besar is still relatively high. Specifically for 2022, 52 cases were decided and two cases were revoked this year," said Syar'iyah Court spokesman Jantho Fadlia in Banda Aceh, Antara, Wednesday, February 8. Fadlia said that in 2021 her party handled 67 cases and none of the cases were revoked. In general, the rate of early marriage in Aceh Besar is still high, it has decreased slightly. There are several reasons for applying for a marriage dispensation, namely pregnant out of marriage, having a relationship like a husband and wife relationship, being arrested by the community for always being alone and dropping out of school. "The reason why applying for dispensation must be mentioned. This is sometimes a consideration for prospective underage brides, so there are still many who are reluctant to apply for a marriage dispensation," he said. Fadlia explained that the reasons for underage marriage requirements were contained in Supreme Court Regulation Number 5 of 2019 concerning guidelines for adjudicating the dispensation of marriage. The requirements needed, he said, are a dispensation application letter, a photocopy of the ID cards of the parents/guardians, KK (family cards), ID cards or candidate identity cards, birth certificates, ID cards or prospective child marriage cards. In addition, a photocopy of the last educational diploma or certificate is still in school, finally a letter of rejection from the local Office of Religious Affairs (KUA). The rejection letter contains no marriage permits for minors or less than 19 years. In addition, a lawsuit if there is, and in Article 7 paragraph (2) of the Law on marriage, emphasizes that the request for dispensation to the court must be accompanied by strong reasons. "In fact, it must also be accompanied by supporting evidence to provide a marriage dispensation," he said. Fadlia added that for the procedure for applying for a marriage dispensation, the parents of the underage bride can submit their application to the religious court. He hopes that the Aceh Besar Government can provide education to the public regarding the productive age of marriage, because early marriage has many bad effects, apart from being close to divorce, it also affects reproductive health. “ In terms of rights, these children lose their playing time and study time, because at that age they should spend time studying, but have to take care of their children and husbands, early marriage also affects stunting,” according to Fadlia.