US Capital Bans Child Marriage, Consistent Advocacy Still Required  

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, has officially banned child marriage, closing a legal loophole that previously allowed children as young as 16 to marry with only a parent or guardian’s consent. With the adoption of B25-0995, the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024, D.C. has taken a firm stance against a practice recognized internationally as a human rights violation, marking a hopeful step forward at a time when US headlines are dominated by political division and setbacks to human rights protections. 

Research found that between 2000 and 2023, at least 110 minors were married in D.C., with two-thirds of them being girls wed to adult men. 

While this number pales in comparison to the millions of girls living in the US, every case represents a child whose rights, autonomy, and future were put at risk. And with 37 US states still allowing child marriage in some form, this remains a national problem that requires urgent attention.

Child Marriage: A Reality Across the United States

Many people assume child marriage is a problem confined to other parts of the world, but in reality, nearly 300,000 minors, under age 18, were legally married in the US between 2000 and 2018, and the country has been slow to address it.

Child marriage is associated with a range of negative outcomes, including higher rates of domestic violence, lower educational attainment, and increased economic hardship. For girls in particular, the consequences can be especially severe, with many forced to leave school early and become financially dependent on their spouses.

Despite this, opposition to banning child marriage persists, often under the guise of protecting parental rights or respecting cultural traditions. 

Why D.C.’s Ban Matters Beyond the District

While Washington, D.C. is not a state, its policy decisions often have national and even global significance. As the seat of the US government, D.C.’s legal changes send a message about shifting norms that can inspire action in other jurisdictions. The ban makes it clear: child marriage has no place in a society that values equality and human rights.

However, D.C. is also facing ongoing challenges regarding its ability to govern itself. The District does not have full congressional or voting representation, and federal lawmakers have repeatedly interfered with its local policies, particularly in areas like policing and criminal justice reform. This means that while D.C. has taken a stand against child marriage, there’s always a risk that political forces beyond its control could undermine its progress.

Why Continuous Advocacy on Child Marriage is Required 

D.C.’s decision to end child marriage is a major victory for children’s rights, driven by advocacy by Unchained at Last, the DC Coalition to End Child Marriage, and Equality Now. However, legal change alone isn’t enough.

In  June 2024, New Hampshire passed a no-exceptions child marriage ban. Just one year later, the New Hampshire House passed a new bill that would allow 17-year-olds to marry if they or their partner is on active duty in the military. The bill will now go to the state Senate for a vote, after which it could become law. This unprecedented move underscores the urgent need to ensure that laws protecting human rights are not only passed but consistently enforced, implemented, and upheld.

Advocates across the country must continue pressing for laws that prohibit marriage under the age of 18 without exception and push for the majority of US states to follow suit. 

Addressing child marriage in the United States and around the world requires more than just legal reform. It demands a cultural shift, acknowledgement of human rights, an end to exceptionalism, and a commitment to enforcing existing laws. D.C. has set an example. Now, it’s up to the rest of the country to finish the job.

For more information on how to support efforts to end child marriage in the US, visit Unchained At Last and the National Coalition to End Child Marriage in the U.S.