Previously, Bolivian law limited marriages to adults but allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to wed with parental or guardian consent….reports Asian Lite News
Bolivia has taken a significant step toward protecting its youth, as parliament passed a landmark bill banning marriages and civil unions involving minors. The legislation aligns Bolivia with 13 other Latin American nations that have outlawed child marriage, reinforcing the country’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights.
Previously, Bolivian law limited marriages to adults but allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to wed with parental or guardian consent. Between 2014 and 2023, the Ombudsman’s Office of Bolivia recorded more than 4,800 such underage unions, highlighting the persistence of early marriage despite existing restrictions.
The newly passed amendment, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, closes this legal loophole. The Senate had already endorsed the bill in April, and it now awaits presidential promulgation to become law.
“This is not just a law; it is a promise that our teenage girls will no longer be forced to marry, leave school, or take on responsibilities that do not belong to them,” said ruling party senator and bill author Virginia Velasco in a press statement. Velasco added that officials who register marriages involving minors could face prosecution and jail sentences of up to four years.
The move comes amid widespread concern over child marriages in Bolivia. Advocacy group Save the Children noted that in 2014 alone, over 32,300 girls were married before turning 15, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available.
Across Latin America, 13 countries—including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador—have already enacted laws prohibiting child marriages, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Bolivia’s legislative action brings it closer to regional norms, signalling a stronger commitment to education, gender equality, and child protection.
By formally closing the loophole that allowed minors to marry with parental consent, Bolivia is sending a clear message that the rights of children, particularly girls, will be prioritised, ensuring they have the opportunity to grow, learn, and participate fully in society.
