Colombia Bans Child Marriage to Protect Girls' Rights

Colombia's congress has voted to raise the minimum marriage age to 18, eliminating the current law that allows minors as young as 14 to marry with parental consent. This legislative change, which awaits President Gustavo Petro's approval, aims to protect minors from forced marriages and ensure their rights and development opportunities. The initiative, under the slogan "they're girls, not wives," addresses the global issue of child marriage, which affects 12 million girls annually, though rates have been declining according to UNICEF.