Colombia’s child marriage ban comes into effect
Plan International celebrates as Colombia’s new child marriage law officially comes into effect, raising the legal minimum age for marriage to 18.
Plan International Colombia
We stand with girls in Colombia because when they lead, peace, justice and progress become possible for all.
For decades, Colombia’s girls have grown up in the shadow of conflict, inequality and displacement. Violence, poverty and exclusion continue to shape their lives. The world has too often failed them. We won’t.
Even as Colombia moves forward, millions of girls still face serious risks; from violence and unsafe schools to child marriage and limited opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives. When systems break down, girls are the first to lose protection, education and voice.
But girls are not waiting to be saved. Across Colombia, they are organising, advocating and leading change for peace, equality and dignity. Our role is to stand beside them and help turn that leadership into lasting change.
We don’t work alone. We listen first, then work side by side with girls, young people and local communities across Colombia, staying for the long term and stepping up fast when girls are most at risk.
For 64 years, we’ve worked alongside girls and hundreds of communities nationwide. We’ve reached millions of people in all 32 departments of Colombia, delivering programmes and supporting change in hundreds of communities nationwide. From advancing protection for girls to helping secure Colombia’s ban on child marriage, our impact is rooted in local leadership and built to last.
We won’t stop until we’re all equal.
How we stand with girls in Colombia
A girl’s future can’t be rebuilt one issue at a time. That’s why we support every part of her world:
- We help keep girls safe working with families, schools and communities to prevent violence and exploitation and end child marriage.
- We help girls stay in school making sure classrooms are safe, inclusive and accessible, even in communities affected by conflict.
- We support girls’ health and choices so they can understand their bodies and make positive decisions about when to marry or have children.
- We back girls as leaders, supporting them to speak up, organise and shape decisions in their communities and beyond.
Where we work
