"It needs collaboration and synergy, starting from central and regional governments, including the community, to prevent child marriage," the ministry's Acting Deputy for Coordination of the Quality Improvement of Children, Women, and Youth, Didik Suhardi, said on Wednesday.
In general, child marriage is caused by several factors, such as economic, educational, and cultural factors, he explained.
Currently, the government is continuing to carry out several strategic programs to prevent child marriage, he added.
"The fulfillment of the rights and protection of children becomes the main priority. One of the things that must receive attention regarding the fulfillment of children's rights and protection is efforts to prevent child marriage," he said.
According to data from the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, in 2021, the child marriage rate stood at 9.32 percent, a decline from 10.35 percent in 2020.
Based on data from the Religious Court Body (Badilag) of the Supreme Court (MA), the number of marriage dispensations fell from 63,361 in 2021 to 52,390 in 2022.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, invited all parties, especially parents, to prevent child marriage to avoid its negative impacts.
According to him, child marriage is feared to have negative impacts such as domestic violence, divorce, stunting in future children, and the emergence of new poor families.
A couple's physical and mental readiness is essential for building a harmonious family, Effendy added.
"It can be said that child marriage is far from readiness. For example, it is feared that the physical condition of girls who get married under 18 is not yet ready to give birth and become a mother," he explained.
He added that giving birth at a young age is also feared to put the lives of the mother and the baby at risk.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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