California Bans Child Marriage, Protecting Young Californians and Minors

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark bill into law, banning child marriage in the state, effective January 1, 2027. The new legislation establishes a minimum age of 18 for marriage, thereby shielding young Californians and minors from this practice.

Newsom, a vocal advocate for the ban, has described the law as a long-overdue measure to safeguard the well-being of young Californians and minors. He signed the bill into law alongside Courtney Stodden. Whose parents allowed her to marry a 50-year-old Hollywood actor when she was just 16.

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and emphasized the need for survivors of child marriage to be shielded from its burdens.

Brittany Bee, a former child bride, recounted her experience of being wed at 17 to escape an abusive home, only to face further abuse at the hands of her adult husband. Her account highlights the devastating consequences of child marriage, where minors are often coerced into a cycle of exploitation.

Bee and other child marriage survivors have been advocating for years to ban the practice in California and across the United States. The shift towards banning child marriage has been gradual, with California becoming the 18th state to do so since 2018.

According to Unchained At Last, an advocacy group, approximately 9,000 girls were wed each year in California, with the majority involving girls married to adult men.

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Unchained At Last has highlighted the need for greater awareness about child marriage, which has led to allegations of abuse. The organization has reported that many girls in the US are unaware that child marriage is legal in so many states.

Tasneen, who started advocating for this change in 2017, expressed gratitude that the law would now protect children from this practice.