Groups call for law reforms to put an end to child marriage

KUALA LUMPUR: Several groups have called for the Government to implement law reforms to end the practice of child marriage in Malaysia.

Wanita DAP publicity secretary Kasthuri Patto, who was part of a discussion panel on “Working with Parliamentarians” at the Girls Not Brides Global Meeting yesterday, said that setting the minimum marriage age at 18 is something that is already in the Pakatan Harapan Manifesto.

“The next step is to speak to civil organisations and other Members of Parliament, and meet with the Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to make this pledge a reality,” she said.

Kasthuri said that ending child marriage in Malaysia will lead to several social and economic benefits.

Kasthuri also advocates the introduction of sex education to educate youth on family planning, teen pregnancy, safe sex, the difference between good and bad touch, sexual violence and sexual grooming.

“We can tailor-make a syllabus to suit Malaysian society. It is important for us to address the issues from a health angle.

“Malaysia as a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has a moral duty to put her foot down and once and for all put an end to child marriage,” she added.

In a joint statement to end child marriage signed by 50 civil society organisations, UN agencies, and advocates, the groups called for the Pakatan Harapan Government to hold true to their promise in setting 18 as the minimum age of marriage.

“Marriage before the age of 18 is a fundamental violation of human rights and the rights of a child that impacts every aspect of a child’s life.

“In Malaysia and elsewhere in the world, child marriage denies girls and boys their childhood, disrupts education, limits opportunities, increases the risk of violence, and jeopardises health,” they said.