“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.”
Early marriage, which has been abused in the form of forced marriage to minors who suffered sexual violence in Peru, South America, will be abolished. According to Peru’s National Assembly website and the official social media of the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Population (Women’s Ministry), Peru’s National Assembly held a plenary session the previous evening to pass a civil law revision bill that explicitly prohibits marriage to minors.
The main point of the bill is to set the age of marriage to 18 years old, which is the age of adulthood under civil law. It also includes that even minors who are already married can request cancellation of marriage if they want without any third-party intervention.
Earlier in 2007, Peru’s parliament lowered the age of having sex with consent from 17 to 14 years old. For this reason, marriageable age has also been interpreted as 14 years or older. In Peru, adolescents over the age of 14 can marry when their parents consent or the court judges to do so if they have children or are pregnant.
However, the clause, which reflects the practice of early marriage among indigenous people, has been abused as a channel for the impunity of sexual violence of adult males against underage women. In addition, there were many cases where underage women who were pregnant due to sexual violence were “forced” to marry, and there were many calls for the revision of the bill, mainly from human rights organisations. This is because the rapist can become her husband.”
“Early marriage acts as a system that implicitly promotes sexual violence,” said Representative Luis Aragón Carreño. “Banning it means guaranteeing the rights of our girls.” The amendment, which effectively completed the legislative process, the signature of President Dina Boluarte is the only thing left.
Peru’s Ministry of Women welcomed it, calling it a “historic day that marked a milestone for the protection of youth rights.” Last month, the U.N. Population Fund reported that the level of sexual violence against minors in Peru is serious, “up to 11 girls aged between 10 and 14 get pregnant every day in Peru and four of them become mothers,” adding, “Many are due to sexual violence.” (Source: Yonhap News Roundup).
To deprive them of justice— would not the Lord see such things? Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:36-37,40)
Thank You, God, for the news that the Peruvian National Assembly has abolished early marriage, which has been abused as a tool for sex crimes, and has come up with a revised law to protect underage women in the country. Let the new legislation be established well, and the Peruvian government investigate its conduct thoroughly and cleanse all systems used for lust and greed before the Lord. May You save the next generation of Peru exposed to sin from rampant sex crimes and help them to hear the gospel so that they may grow into a blessed channel to return this land to the Lord.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
