Stop Child Marriage

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the number of child marriages. Preventing it can be done by decisively not giving permission and improving the socio-economic condition.

Amid the commemoration of the birth of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a symbol of the emancipation of women fighting for the end of child marriage, Kompas since Monday (19/4/2021) has reported the impact of the pandemic on the increase in the incidence of child marriage.

Also read: Early Marriage Puts Lives at Risk

The Covid-19 pandemic is associated with the increase in the number of child marriages, especially among girls. Economic hardship is one of the common reasons. Even before the pandemic, parents married off their children. The impact of the pandemic has exacerbated the condition. By marrying off their children right away, parents feel freed from the responsibility of supporting one family member. In 2018, Indonesia was included in the 10 countries with the highest absolute number of child marriages in the world.

Marrying off children, especially girls, is considered by some members of the community as a way to prevent sexual relations outside of marriage. A year when there were almost no face-to-face school activities, some children were not busy enough to shift their natural biological needs to more useful things, which they usually got through the learning process at school. There are still residents who consider it taboo for girls to marry over the age of 18. This view puts pressure on both girls and parents, even though there is a risk of immediate divorce.

Also read: If Only the Clock Could be Turned Back

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

LA (17) carries her child AAC (8 months) in a village in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, last Friday (16/4/2021). In his very young age, LA has been married three times and divorced twice.

The detrimental effects of child marriage have frequently been disclosed. The risk of maternal death increases, as does cervical cancer. Most babies born are stunted. A woman who is too young to have children is also not ready to take care of children when she actually still wants to play with her friends.

Girls who marry at an early age are vulnerable to violence from their partners and parents. Both girls and boys are usually unable to continue their education so that their potential is not fully developed. Not only do children lose the opportunity to have a better and more prosperous life, the state and society also lose the human resources needed to improve community welfare.

Also read: More Child Marriages Requested in Pandemic

We support the Women\'s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry to make child marriage prevention a community movement by also involving religious leaders, community leaders and regional heads. The spearhead to prevent child marriage lies with parents who understand that children are a gift and a responsibility whose dignity must be guarded. Regional heads and community leaders are responsible for preventing the child marriage.

In addition to improving the welfare of the community so that poverty does not become the cause of child marriage, cultural and social approaches must be carried out. Whatever religion teaches, children are human beings and therefore children\'s human rights must be upheld, including protecting against child marriage.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.