Advocates Push to End Child Marriage in the U.S. and Worldwide

Advocates and survivors of child marriage in Boston are calling for an end to this practice, as more than two dozen U.S. states currently allow marriage under the age of 18 under certain circumstances. Congress is debating a new bill that seeks a national ban. The United Nations has labelled child marriage a ‘human rights violation,’ citing concerns such as early pregnancy, social isolation, disrupted education, reduced career opportunities, and increased risk of domestic violence. Every year, the U.N. estimates that 12 million girls become child brides, while young males may be pressured to abandon education and support a family.

This year, efforts to end child marriage are growing, including a U.S. bill introduced in July and a U.N. General Assembly resolution on September 4, establishing November 27 as the International Day to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage. Kamala Thiagarajan examines the ongoing effort to eradicate this practice.

In many countries around the world, child marriage laws are changing to meet the U.N. goal of abolishing the practice by 2030.

From Sierra Leone to the Dominican Republic, nations have recently passed legislation setting the marriage age at 18 with no exceptions. However, in the U.S., the push for a national child marriage law faces criticism and controversy. In India, although child marriage is illegal, one in five women aged 20 to 24 were found to have married before turning 18. UNICEF estimates that 1.5 million underage girls are married annually in India.

The U.S. Legislative Effort

U.S. Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, alongside Senators Dick Durbin, Brian Schatz, and Kirsten Gillibrand, introduced the Child Marriage Prevention Act in July. The bill aims to establish a federal minimum marriage age of 18. Moore emphasized the need to end child marriage, highlighting that many such marriages involve young girls and adult men. Advocates have initiated state-level reforms, and this federal proposal seeks to support those efforts and utilize data to address the issue’s prevalence.

More than 314,000 minors were legally married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2021, including children as young as 10. Most were young girls marrying adult men, according to advocacy groups. Unchained At Last, a nonprofit, estimates that about one in five of these marriages involved minors of ages where sexual relations should be considered a crime.

Fraidy Reiss, founder of Unchained At Last, noted a legal loophole allowing marital exemptions for statutory rape laws. Barriers also exist for married minors seeking legal services, divorces or protection. The Tahirih Justice Center has partnered in advancing this legislation, emphasizing that apparent consent does not ensure a child’s freedom in marrying, given potential familial pressure.

Some advocates support the bill but are wary of unintended consequences. Reiss voiced concerns about sections of the bill providing financial incentives to study child marriage without directly banning it, as well as provisions enabling young minors to qualify for a U.S. spousal visa.

Opposition and Global Comparisons

Opposition to the bill exists, particularly among Republican lawmakers concerned about government overreach. State bans are opposed in states like Oklahoma and Missouri for infringing parental authority.

Globally, countries have adopted rigorous national restrictions on child marriage. Sierra Leone’s 2024 Act sets 18 as the marriage age with no exceptions, while Colombia and Bolivia have enacted complete bans. In many places, cultural practices hinder law enforcement.

India’s national laws against child marriage struggle against entrenched societal norms, says Renu Singh, Executive Director of Young Lives India. Despite legal measures, deep-rooted cultural concerns continue to drive early marriages across different income groups.

NPR has documented stories of secret child marriages in India, capturing testimonies of minors married young without understanding the situation. Singh highlighted the need for cultural transformation, not just legislative measures.

Conclusion

Activists argue that changing belief systems alongside law reforms is pivotal for effective prevention of child marriage. Casey Carter Swegman from Tahirih underscores the role of gender norms and patriarchy in sustaining these practices in the U.S. Global initiatives aim to elevate child marriage onto the political agenda, with the U.N. instituting a dedicated international day for awareness. Bhuwan Ribhu’s efforts in India highlight the ongoing struggle to transform child marriage into a matter of child rape litigation.