California Lawmakers Face Heated Debate Over AB 2924 as Advocates Push to End Child Marriage in the State

In California, the rules around marriage are more lenient compared to other states.

Unlike most places, there’s no set minimum age for getting married here.

A minor just needs permission from a parent or guardian and approval from a judge to obtain a marriage license. This policy has sparked significant debate.

Along with California, only New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Mississippi allow people of any age to marry with judicial and parental consent. However, California is unique in its ongoing controversy over this issue.

In February, AB 2924 was introduced to eliminate the legal provisions allowing minors under 18 to marry.

However, this bill has already faced substantial pushback from groups like Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Northern California, ACLU California Action, and the National Center for Youth Law.

These organizations argue that removing the current guidelines could push abusive relationships into secrecy and restrict the rights of minors who wish to marry.

This stance is particularly troubling for survivors of child marriage, such as Sara Tasneem.

A Survivor’s Fight

Sara Tasneem, who was forced into marriage at 15, has been vocal about her experience and its impact. Now 43, she recounts how she spent seven years in an abusive marriage, eventually managing to escape and rebuild her life.

Tasneem is now a passionate advocate for changing laws related to child marriage.

“I fought hard to get out of that marriage,” she says. “It took me years to reclaim my life.

I’m working to change the laws that still allow child marriage in the U.S. because I know firsthand the damage it causes.”

Tasneem testified in support of AB 2924 earlier this year, but the bill faced obstacles.

She criticized Planned Parenthood for opposing the bill, feeling that their stance was misguided.

Despite multiple meetings with Planned Parenthood, local ACLU chapters, and the National Center for Youth Law, there has been resistance, leading to a delay in moving the bill forward.

The bill was eventually withdrawn, largely due to disagreements over proposed amendments, including exceptions for some minors.

Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris, who introduced the bill, decided to pause it rather than compromise on provisions that survivors like Tasneem opposed.

Continuing the Fight

Even though the bill was stalled, Tasneem and other advocates remain determined.

They are pushing for new legislation that would set the minimum marriage age to 18 with no exceptions, a standard already adopted by 13 states, including New York and all of New England.

Recent data highlights the urgency of this issue.

According to a 2021 study by Unchained at Last, around 300,000 minors were legally married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018, with a significant number from California. The situation appears to be worsening, with more than 9,000 minors getting married in 2022, predominantly young girls marrying older men.

Protest and Advocacy

In response to these challenges, Tasneem and Unchained at Last organized a ‘chain-in’ protest outside Assembly Member Ash Kalra’s office. Protesters, dressed in wedding gowns with chains around their wrists, symbolized the entrapment they believe these marriages represent.

“I want to protect the most vulnerable—minors who are often overlooked by everyone,” Tasneem says. “They need advocates to speak up for them because no one else seems to.”

Tasneem plans to continue her advocacy, hoping that one day, a new bill will be introduced to address these concerns and protect minors from harmful marriages.

TDPel Media

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