After 17 years of campaigning by civil society groups, in 2024 Colombia took a historic step by approving one of the most comprehensive laws in Latin America and the Caribbean to ban child marriage. The law not only raises the age of marriage to 18 years without exception but also incorporates the design and implementation of a National Comprehensive Programme for Life Projects for Children and Adolescents, aimed at reducing the root causes of early unions.

Working with key partners including Asociación ProFamilia, Equality Now, Girls First Fund (GFF), Fundación para el desarrollo en Género y Familia (GENFAMI), and Global Fund for Children, we collectively raised awareness of child, early, and forced marriage and unions as a form of violence against children to strengthen political will on this issue in Colombia. We provided direct support and guidance to key Senators and lawmakers who then proposed the bill in Congress, providing technical support to refine the bill proposal. Girls Not Brides and its members in Colombia ensured progress by facilitating space for dialogue, engaging key actors, establishing relationships with senators and targeting specific decision makers. Media coverage helped sustain public and political pressure, contributing to the successful passing of the law.

Timeline of collective actions with Colombian members and partners 

2023

Congresswoman Jennifer Pedraza, with the support of Congresswoman Alejandra Vásquez, introduced Bill PL 155/2023C to ban child marriage in Colombia without exceptions, supported by Girls Not Brides member Asociación ProFamilia.

2024

February

Girls Not Brides held strategic meetings with Pro Familia to form an alliance for joint advocacy, including partners such as GENFAMI, Global Fund for Children, and Equality Now.

March – September

Technical support to Colombian lawmakers drafting the bill.

May - October

Girls Not Brides, Asociación ProFamilia, GENFAMI, Equality Now, and Global Fund for Children developed a collective advocacy plan.

September - October

Co-developed a dynamic communications strategy with partners, using social media campaigns, press engagement, blogs, and advocacy materials.

November

Breakfast meeting with Colombian senators to emphasise the bill’s importance and ensure its final approval.

Co-hosted parallel event at the first Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) Ministerial Conference in Bogotá during which government officials from Colombia committed to advance the bill.

Press release urging senators to prioritise the bill picked up by major national and international news outlets, including El Espectador, Equality Now, Women’s Media Center, Civicus, IPS, GNDiario, Radiónica, El País, and Infobae.

The Colombian Senate passed the bill to ban child marriage without exceptions. Senators used Girls Not Brides’ key messages and materials to argue for the bill’s passage.

"It is extremely important to have a project with a preventive approach, such as the Life Projects Programme for Girls and Adolescents, which is the first initiative of its kind worldwide. It should not only focus on ending child marriage but also provide children with the opportunity to envision a life project. This raises the question of how public policies can be established around the most vulnerable populations with an intersectional approach."
- Congresswoman Alexandra Vázquez.

"We will require a very serious effort in coordination between Congress and the population for the implementation of the Life Project for Girls, Boys, and Adolescents. The key will be in collaboration with civil society organisations, as they already understand the territory, how these practices occur, the common factors involved, and how we can intervene to prevent them."
- Congresswoman Jennifer Pedraza.

Colombian organisations reflect on their collective work

"There was openness to collaboration; we organised ourselves and held several joint sessions to determine what we considered important. The necessary time was dedicated, and through coordinated advocacy efforts, we successfully achieved the approval of the law in Colombia."
— Partner organisation, Colombia.

"One of the key achievements was establishing organisations and the coalition as a relevant actor in the region, creating opportunities for alliances with other sectors and social movements."
— Partner organisation, Colombia.

"The reform of the civil code will not put an end to early unions. It is crucial to ensure the development of programmes like the National Programme, built on the principles of participation—especially the participation of children and adolescents—so that their experiences are taken seriously. This way, programmes can address the specific needs and circumstances of children and adolescents at higher risk of child marriage and early unions."
— Nicolás Giraldo, Legal and Policy Change Coordinator at Asociación ProFamilia.