13 JULY 2017
Honduras’s decision to fully ban child marriage for all young people under the age of 18 is a historic achievement for girls’ rights.
On Wednesday, lawmakers in Honduras’s National Congress voted unanimously to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 from 16 and remove a loophole in the law which had meant that under 18s could get married with the permission of their parents.
Honduran girls supported by Plan International and its partner organisations Unicef, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women have been campaigning for this loophole to be closed for the past two years.
Youth advocates helped achieve law change
Ceily, 11, got involved in the campaign after her school began working with Plan International Honduras.
I’m very grateful to Plan International for working alongside us girls to bring about this law change.
Today, she said “I’m very grateful to Plan International for working alongside us girls to bring about this law change.”
“I also feel very proud of myself at playing a part in something which will mean more happiness and independence for so many girls in Honduras.”
“My dream is that this will mean more girls going to university which will help our country to progress and break the cycle of poverty. Plan International showed me that I can break that cycle.”
Poor prospects for married girls
In 2016, Honduras had the 30th highest rate of child marriage in the world, with 34% of young people getting married before the age of 18.
Child marriage forces girls out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with increased risk of violence, abuse, ill-health or early death. While boys are also married as children, child marriage affects girls in greater numbers and with consequences which can be devastating for their health and well-being.
Belinda Portillo, Country Director at Plan International Honduras, said “This is a historic change which has the potential to benefit the lives of millions of girls – and we couldn’t have done it without the hard work and passion of young people.”
“For the lawmakers to hear from girls with personal experience of child marriage was a vital part of the process. By participating in this campaign, these young people have helped to put an end to a practice which is a violation of girls’ human rights and robs girls of their childhood.”
Unanimous vote
On Wednesday, lawmakers in Honduras’s National Congress voted unanimously to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 from 16 and remove a loophole in the law which had meant that under 18s could get married with the permission of their parents.
This is a historic change which has the potential to benefit the lives of millions of girls.
Honduran girls supported by Plan International and its partner organisations Unicef, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women have been campaigning for this loophole to be closed for the past two years.
Ceily, 11, got involved in the campaign after her school began working with Plan International Honduras.
Today, she said “I’m very happy and grateful to Plan International for working alongside us girls to bring about this law change.”
“I also feel very proud of myself at playing a part in something which will mean more happiness and independence for so many girls in Honduras.”
“The dream is that this will mean more girls end up going to university which will help our country to progress and break the cycle of poverty. Plan International showed me that I can break that cycle.”
Change will benefit millions of girls’ lives
As of 2016, Honduras had the 30th highest rate of child marriage in the world, with 34% of young people getting married before the age of 18.
Child marriage forces girls out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with increased risk of violence, abuse, ill-health or early death. While boys are also married as children, child marriage affects girls in greater numbers and with consequences which can be devastating for their health and well-being.
Belinda Portillo, Country Director at Plan International Honduras, made a speech to congress on Wednesday calling for child marriage to be banned in Honduras once and for all.
Today, she said “This is a historic change which has the potential to benefit the lives of millions of girls – and we couldn’t have done it without the hard work and passion of young people.”
“For the lawmakers to hear from girls with personal experience of child marriage was a vital part of the process. By participating in this campaign, these young people have helped to put an end to a practice which is a violation of girls’ human rights and robs girls of their childhood.”
Girls Get Equal, Youth empowerment, child marriage