Washington, DC is poised to pass the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act, which would ban child marriage in the district. On December 17, the City Council unanimously approved the bill, setting the minimum age of consent for marriage at 18. The bill was approved by Mayor Bowser and is now on its way to Congress. If Congress does not pass a joint resolution of disapproval within the 30-day review period, the bill will become law, reports Tahirih Justice Center.
If enacted, DC will join 13 U.S. states that have banned child marriage since 2016. Alex Goyette, Public Policy Manager at the Tahirih Justice Center, called the vote “a resounding victory for children in the District and throughout the U.S.,” adding:
“This reform continues the mid-Atlantic’s leadership in the campaign to end child marriage across the US, and setting another example that the remaining 37 states should follow. We look forward to swift approval of this legislation by Congress.”
“No one asked me”
The effort to ban child marriage in DC was led by City Council member Brooke Pinto, who aimed to align the district with its neighbors that have already taken action to end the practice. During a public hearing, child marriage survivor Vilas Wright shared her powerful testimony:
“No one asked me. I was a naive and innocent little girl, even if I was a feisty redhead. No one stopped it. No one stood up and questioned if this was right or wrong. You have the power to do that today.”
Wright was forced to marry a man twice her age after her father found out she had been raped.
Lul Mohamud, MPH, Executive Director of The Person Center praised the council’s decision:
“Ending child marriage in Washington, DC is a result of the listening ear, compassion-based action, and coordinated efforts of Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s office and staff. The DC Council’s monumental vote will close a door to victimization, violence, and trauma — protecting our most vulnerable across the district and across the region. “
A step forward, but the fight continues
Freedom United applauds Washington, DC for taking this critical step to protect children from the devastating consequences of child marriage. No child should endure the emotional and physical toll of being forced into marriage. But the fight is far from over—37 U.S. states still allow child marriage. We cannot stop until every child is protected.
Join us in taking action. Sign the petition today to help end child marriage in the U.S. once and for all.
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