Dian Latifiani, Baidhowi Baidhowi, Anis Widyawati, Nike Natasya Sumartono, Rahmawati Melati Sani, Choirul Fuad, Suithan Faiz Akbar, Kareem Mubarak
Child marriage remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, with a substantial number of girls being married off before reaching adulthood. This practice not only violates the rights and jeopardizes the well-being of young girls but also impedes Indonesia's progress towards sustainable development and resilience. This paper underscores the urgency of addressing child marriage within the Indonesian context. By advocating for marriage age education, it aims to tackle this issue comprehensively. Marriage age education equips young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and agency necessary to make informed decisions about marriage, thus breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and vulnerability. In Indonesia, where cultural norms and economic hardships often contribute to the prevalence of child marriage, education emerges as a crucial tool for change. By empowering young girls and boys with education, Indonesia can promote gender equality, enhance economic opportunities, and improve health outcomes for its citizens. Moreover, preventing child marriage aligns with Indonesia's broader goals of achieving sustainable development and fostering resilience at both the familial and national levels. Through targeted interventions and policy reforms, Indonesia can create an enabling environment where child marriage is no longer tolerated, and every child has the opportunity to thrive. By investing in marriage age education and prioritizing the well-being of its youth, Indonesia can pave the way towards a more equitable and resilient society, where every individual has the chance to realize their full potential. © Author(s).
Faculty of Law, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia; Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Qashim University, Burraydah, Saudi Arabia
