TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise will meet Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin to discuss a revision to Law No. 1/1974 on Marriage. They will raise the minimum marriage age from 16 to 18.
A judicial review was earlier requested by Women’s Health Foundation (YKP) and Children’s Right Foundation (YPHA), which was turned down by the Constitution Court (MK).
“We have a problem of revising child marriage law at the MK, but it has raised concerns and drawn the attention of ministries and relevant agencies,” Yohana said.
Yohana believes that the meeting with Minister Lukman next week will result in a right decision on the planned revision to minimum marriage age in the marriage law. “After the meeting, we will be able to build the commitment to immediately [make a revision]. It shouldn’t take too long.”
The minimum marriage age has long been debated because it relates to reproductive health and poverty rate. YKP, for example, said that female reproductive system is yet ready at age 16.
The Indonesian Female Cleric Congress (KUPI) held on April 25-27 expressed its support of the planned revision to the marriage law. KUPI views that girls aged 16 are too young to get married.
YOHANES PASKALIS
