Indonesia
Alarming increase in child marriages in Indonesia sparks concerns
Child marriages in Indonesia have reportedly surged by 200%, raising concerns about socio-economic challenges, cultural norms, and inadequate legal safeguards for children.
Advocates call for urgent measures to protect vulnerable youth where youngest individuals granted dispensation from marriages were as young as 12.
![](https://gutzymedia.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp/2023/12/17061908/WhatsApp-Image-2022-06-24-at-4.15.00-PM-1024x461-1.jpg)
INDONESIA: Child marriages in Indonesia have witnessed a staggering 200% increase, prompting heightened concerns from child advocacy groups.
The surge in dispensation requests to Religious Courts, allowing marriages for individuals under 19, reveals a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.
In Bojonegoro, East Java, dispensation requests reached a troubling 435 cases by November 2023.
Solikin Jamik, Chief Clerk of the Bojonegoro Religious Court, disclosed that most applicants were children who had completed elementary or middle school, emphasizing the socio-economic challenges driving families to seek early marriages.
Despite a decrease in requests compared to the last three years, with 435 cases reported in the first eleven months of 2023, the figures remain disturbingly high.
Solikin Jamik noted that out of 50 couples granted dispensation, 50 ended in divorce within a few months, underscoring the fragility of such unions.
A family member, identified as Beni, acknowledged his sister’s unreadiness for marriage but claimed their family felt compelled due to limited options.
Beni stated, “Marriage is not a choice; it must be done. If not, the consequences will be more worrying…”
Alimatul Qibtiyah, a Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, outlined reasons behind dispensation requests, including cultural traditions, hiding premarital pregnancies, narrow views on girls’ education, and religious teachings.
Isa Anshori, Head of Data, Information, and Research at the Indonesian Child Protection Agency, supported Qibtiyah’s observations.
He highlighted concerns of parents fearing sinful behavior if their children interacted with the opposite sex, influenced by religious beliefs.
The data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for 2023 indicated that the highest incidence of child marriages occurred in ten provinces, including Wes Nusa Tenggara, Gorontalo, West Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, North Maluku, North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, West Sumatra, and South Kalimantan.
Referring to records from the Religious Judiciary, the number of dispensation requests surged from 24,856 in 2019 to 64,222 in 2020.
Although the numbers slightly decreased in subsequent years, with 62,119 requests in 2021 and 52,095 in 2022, the overall trend remains alarming.
Pribudiarta Nur Sitepu, Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, noted that almost 95% of dispensation requests are approved by judges.
Parents can apply for dispensation at the Religious Court with a marriage request letter, identity proof, rejection letter from the Religious Affairs Office, family card, and the underage spouse’s school certificate.
Isa Anshori disclosed that the youngest individuals granted dispensation were as young as 12.
In dispensation hearings, both parents or guardians and the underage individuals seeking approval are present, alongside witnesses. Anshori likened the proceedings to regular marriages, with an exchange of vows.
During court sessions, judges offer advice to parents and underage individuals to understand the risks of early marriage. If the Religious Court grants dispensation, living arrangements vary based on the socio-economic backgrounds of the families involved.
Alimatul Qibtiyah argued that child marriages equate to systematic poverty for women, leading to discontinued education, early pregnancies, and restricted social development.
She emphasized that young brides lose their adolescent years with friends and are forced into parenting without adequate preparation.
Moreover, early pregnancies pose health risks for underage individuals, with potential complications and maternal mortality during childbirth.
Babies born to underage mothers are at risk of low birth weight, further compounding the health challenges faced by these families.
Child advocates expressed concerns about the heightened vulnerability of underage individuals to domestic violence due to their lack of psychological and mental preparedness for marriage.
The limited number of judges well-versed in women’s and children’s issues further compounds the problem.
Isa Anshori highlighted the need for more judges with a progressive outlook who can consider children’s statements without parental presence.
![](https://gutzy.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gutzy-Logo-whiteS.png)
-
Politics1 week ago
Jamus Lim on Minister Chee Hong Tat’s remarks on fiscal policy: Calls for genuine debate over rhetoric
-
Politics2 weeks ago
SM Lee: Singaporeans must ‘change attitudes’ as Govt promises ‘bold and necessary changes’
-
Community1 week ago
Toast Box faces backlash and boycott calls amid price increases
-
Media1 week ago
Notice to Our Readers: Moving Back to The Online Citizen
-
Singapore2 weeks ago
Singapore introduces new scheme in April 2025 offering up to S$6,000 in financial support for retrenched workers
-
Politics1 week ago
Jamus Lim raises concerns over high cost of living and its impact on Singaporeans’ sense of belonging
-
Opinion1 week ago
Chee Hong Tat’s call for fiscal prudence rings hollow amid contradictory government spending
-
Singapore1 week ago
Tan Suee Chieh: Sacrificing NTUC Income’s values for short-term gains undermines its foundation
China dun need to pretend to China Japan Lesbian Grouping for another day with another agenda. This is the bullshit cult you people go on and on.
You wanna murder like Kathy Chow, just do it. Hypocrite to Pair for another day …
Motive is yours which ever empire … Not mine!!!!
谁的心术不正?!?
In the Court of Law, whose motive is that?!?
Oh there is the Hui Singularity. So the Big Hui are marrying so Pawn star Hui supposedly heading towards Divorce agenda 69. Then as a Unicorn will be 66like the Kathy Chow 57 dead. No?!? Director Lee and his China Director. Correct anot??
So I foresee that the Teo singularity is gog to remarry a Ling singularity. While Na either becomes a Unicorn or Married to their Japanese Corrupt to live a “Luxurious” life and so that the Japanese Corrupt ministers can get the star power to continue to scame cheat and so on. No?!? Please Answer.
So if 69 entities switch 66. Is it some empires entities can lord over becos their entities more money … Political games playing on the expense of ppl and the overlords are NEVER subjected to it!
Now politicians playing 66 same same or 69 opposite for their big stars and pawn stars?!?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-lawmaker-vows-putin-s-war-will-go-further-than-ukraine/ar-AA1lE8Zd?cvid=73eab569d2b540fdac4d323952e8e6b7&ei=18
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-says-joe-biden-remark-attack-nato-nonsense-3994861
Who is lying?!?
Even without all these articles, they have never been truthful and ppl still wanna believe what they say or claim?!?
O yah and the ministry of PAP blame it on the Japan women and netrual (becos they can own the rest) for the Fuck shit they created. Clap clap Empire and their neverending cronies they spawn!!!!
And wanna create Lego twin towers event to celebrate?!?
just flood indong with more civilised FTs, can? of cose i doubt more “advanced” FTs wanna go live in pooru regions full of muh muslim pedos.
Dun need to keep sending your Realm three entities with the same message. Nobody wants to join your Cult! You cannot accept ppl direct answer and try to trap ppl with your land mine. Direct answer given. Lee Empires are nothing but Bully!