JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion invites religious leaders to traditional leaders to be more proactive in preventing child marriage, the number of which has increased from year to year.
"The role of ulama, community leaders, traditional leaders and religious extension workers is needed to build collective awareness regarding child marriage," said Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance, M. Fuad Nasar in a written statement reported by Antara, Thursday, April 1.
Fuad said based on Komnas Perempuan's data, the number of child marriages nearly tripled in 2020. The number of child marriages throughout 2020 was recorded at 64,211, compared to 2019 which was only 23,126.
The increasing number of child marriages involves a number of aspects such as social, cultural, social norms and social perceptions. The root of the problem must be tackled.
Moreover, child marriage brings more harm than good, which in the end often causes violence to high rates of early divorce.
"In the Islamic view, it is very clear that underage marriage brings more harm than benefit, so the principle of avoiding harm must take precedence over pursuing benefits," he said.
According to him, marriage requires physical and mental maturity, material and spiritual readiness, so that a happy, happy and prosperous family and household are formed.
"Marriage is not limited to a private matter between a man and a woman who carries out the marriage contract. However, it concerns family matters and the future of humanity," he said.
Meanwhile, the head of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Andy Yentriyani said that the root problem of child marriage, especially girls, is the gender construction that places women in a subordinate position compared to men.
"Women are considered as domestic owners, so they are prevented from entering the public sector. When they can enter the public sector, they are always reminded of their duties at home," said Andy.
The gender construction that places women in a domestic position ultimately causes some parents to think that girls do not need to go to high school and are better off getting married immediately.
Even if women can achieve higher education, Andy sees an imbalance between men and women in gaining access to education.
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