Middle Ages: Solomon Islands to Raise Marriage Age Amid Growing Concerns Over Child Marriage

The Solomon Islands is on the cusp of a significant reform in its marriage laws, with a proposal to raise the age of marriage from 15 to 18 years. The move comes as a response to growing concerns over child marriage, which has devastating effects on the physical and mental development of young girls.

Current State of Child Marriage in Solomon Islands

According to recent findings, one in five girls in Solomon Islands is married before the age of 18, with this number increasing to one in four in rural areas. In some communities, girls as young as under 15 have been married. This practice has severe consequences for the young girls involved, including an increased risk of domestic violence, inability to complete education, and limited future career prospects.

Report Highlights Concerns Over Child Marriage

A report led by a coalition of charities in Solomon Islands highlighted the issues faced by child brides. The report was conducted by Save the Children, World Vision, and ChildFund, who interviewed over 200 children, young people, and adults. According to Jacqui Southey, advocacy and research director at Save the Children, there is widespread public support for increasing the age of marriage.

“There was consensus between children and adults, parents and community members that children’s experiences should be playing with their friends, being at school, learning skills,” said Southey. “They also thought that children getting married too young could lead to problems, such as increased risk of domestic violence, inability to finish school, the inability to have good earnings prospects later in life, and greater risk of exploitation.”

Strong Community Support for Law Change

Rebekah Armstrong, head of advocacy and justice at World Vision, emphasized the importance of listening to community voices. “We strongly urge Solomon Islands Government to listen to the voices of their people and take decisive action to protect and advocate for the best interests of children,” she said.

A Campaigner for Change

Destiny, a 17-year-old campaigner, has been vocal about her support for raising the marriage age. She believes that at 15, many girls are still in a stage of personal development and need time to focus on their education and emotional growth. Destiny’s community has seen instances where young girls under 18 have been married.

“What I see is just that’s a hard life, like when it comes to marriage, because marriage is a commitment,” she said. “Raising the age of marriage is to ensure that individuals have completed at least a basic level of education and have had time to develop emotionally and mentally.”

A Step Towards Protection

The proposed law change aims to protect young girls from the harmful effects of child marriage. By raising the minimum age, the government can reduce the risk of domestic violence, improve access to education, and enhance future career prospects.

The Solomon Islands’ decision to raise its marriage age reflects a growing global trend towards protecting children’s rights. As the world continues to grapple with issues surrounding child marriage, it remains to be seen whether this reform will have a lasting impact on the lives of young girls in Solomon Islands.

In conclusion, the Solomon Islands’ move to raise the marriage age is a significant step towards addressing the issue of child marriage. With growing community support and concerns over the devastating effects of early marriage, it is hoped that this law change will be a catalyst for positive change in the country.