Child Marriage Dispensations Increased Threefold in 2020
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The Indonesian Religious Courts Agency recorded 64,200 dispensations for child marriage in 2020. This figure represents a threefold increase, or 177.7%, compared to 2019, when 23,100 marriage dispensations were granted.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) notes several factors contributing to the rise in marriage dispensations in 2020. First, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in school closures and economic hardship for families. Second, increased access to gadgets may have led children to respond prematurely to information they did not fully understand, resulting in unintended pregnancies.
Other factors include the uneven distribution of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education programs. Finally, there is the misuse of incomplete information on sexuality from certain religious perspectives.
A marriage dispensation refers to an exemption granted to prospective spouses under the age of 19 to allow them to marry. This is regulated in Article 7 of Law Number 16 of 2019, which amends Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage.
"Disclosure: This is an AI-generated translation of the original article. We strive for accuracy, but please note that automated translations may contain errors or slight inconsistencies."
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