Legislature in Bolivia approves measure to abolish underage unions
Bolivia Bans Child Marriages with New Legislation
In a significant step towards protecting the rights of children, Bolivia's parliament has passed legislation to ban marriages and civil unions with minors. The bill, once promulgated by the president, will prohibit officials from registering marriages involving minors.
This new law comes after a loophole in the existing law was identified, which allowed exceptions for people aged 16 and 17 with parental or guardian approval. According to Save the Children, in 2014, 32,300 girls in Bolivia were married before the age of 15, and over 4,800 underage unions were registered between 2014 and 2023.
The bill, authored by ruling party senator Virginia Velasco, is a promise to prevent teenage girls from being forced to marry, leave school, or take on responsibilities not their own. Velasco stated, "This law is a promise to protect our girls from being subjected to early marriages and the associated risks."
The Chamber of Deputies passed an amendment on Wednesday to close this loophole in the law, and the bill was greenlit by the senate in April. Under the new law, officials who register such marriages may be prosecuted and jailed for up to four years.
Bolivia is not alone in this effort, as child marriages are prohibited in 13 Latin American countries, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and El Salvador, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
However, it is worth noting that the current president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, who would have to sign a new law prohibiting marriages and civil partnerships with minors, did not seek reelection in the August 2025 elections. The identity of the new president and the future of this legislation remain to be seen.
Regardless, the passage of this bill marks a significant step forward in the fight against child marriage in Bolivia, and it serves as an example for other countries to follow. The ban on child marriages will undoubtedly help to protect the rights and well-being of countless children in Bolivia and ensure a brighter future for them.
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