Washington, D.C. Joined 13 States to Ban Child Marriage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2025
CONTACT: Lynn Tramonte ([email protected] / 202-255-0551)

Washington, DC Joined 13 States to Ban Child Marriage

WASHINGTON – Child marriage is child abuse. And it is now banned throughout the District of Columbia, thanks to a new law sponsored by DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), approved unanimously by Council, and signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. As of this week, the bill is now law.

Said Alex Goyette, Public Policy Manager at the Tahirih Justice Center, “Washington, DC just joined the thirteen U.S. states that ban child marriage, setting a strong example for the rest of the country to follow. The Tahirih Justice Center is working to build a world where every person has the freedom to live their life without abuse and exploitation. Child marriage is child abuse. This victory belongs to the brave people who spoke up about their own experiences, and said they didn’t want this to happen to any other child. We’re calling on the rest of the states to follow DC’s example, and for Congress to enact federal legislation to bring this hidden form of child abuse to an end.”

Now, the minimum age of consent for marriage in the District of Columbia is 18. Thirty-five states have acted to limit child marriage since Tahirih helped launch the national movement to end child marriage in 2016, including thirteen states that have banned child marriage entirely, plus the District of Columbia. To learn more about the status of child marriage in each U.S. state, see tahirih.org/childmarriage.

Vilas Wright, a survivor of child marriage, testified during an emotional, but empowering legislative hearing before DC Council last fall. On passage of the new law, she said, “As a survivor of this egregious human rights violation and an advocate to end child and forced marriage in the United States, I am extremely proud of the District of Columbia for hearing the testimony of the survivors and experts, and joining other states in banning child marriage. I am grateful for all of the amazing individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting our children and making a better world for women and girls.”

Sara Tasneem also relayed her personal experiences before Council. “At fifteen years old I was forced to marry a stranger who was 13 years older than me. I was legally married to my rapist and abuser at the age of 16 and clearly pregnant — which was evidence of rape,” she testified. “As a minor, I faced extreme and numerous barriers to being able to leave my abusive marriage,” she continued. “Sadly, I am not the exception. It has taken me years to recognize and address the severe impacts child marriage has had on me, including PTSD from the prolonged abuse, recovering from the financial abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse, the educational impacts of being taken out of school as a fifteen-year-old led directly to extreme poverty.”

Said Dr. Indira Henard, Executive Director of the DC Rape Crisis Center; “We are very excited that DC has enacted this law to end child marriage in the District and commend Councilwoman Brooke Pinto for her leadership. This is a great day for survivors. What we know for sure is that protecting children should be everyone’s business, and we are glad that this law gives much needed protection to our children against child marriage in the District. We are grateful to all of the survivors who shared their stories, and partnered with us throughout this process.”

“Enactment of this law is a resounding symbol of the District’s commitment to putting survivors first. We at The Person Center are proud to stand alongside a community-based coalition rooted in the bravery and determination of our survivor advocates,” said Lul Mohamud, MPH, Executive Director of The Person Center. “Ending child marriage in Washington, DC is a result of the listening ear, compassion-based action, and coordinated efforts of Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s office and staff. This law will close a door to victimization, violence, and trauma — protecting our most vulnerable across the district and across the region. We at The Person Center look forward to continuing to champion the work of this coalition to expand protections, resources, and support for our youth in collaboration with our survivor advocates, community organizations, and the DC government.”

MORE INFORMATION

• • Read testimonies in support of the Child Marriage Prohibition Amendment Act of 2024, offered during the October DC City Council hearing, and in the Tahirih Justice Center column, “What survivors of child marriage want the DC Council, Congress, and the world, to know” (available in English and Spanish).
  • View the Tahirih Justice Center report, “Child Marriage in Washington, DC,” and two-page issue brief about the DC law.
  • Learn more about the national campaign to end child and forced marriage at https://preventforcedmarriage.org/.