Oklahoma could soon become the 16th state in the United States to expressly prohibit child marriage after a bipartisan bill was passed and sent to the governor for his signature.

Senate Bill 504 would eliminate parts of state law that allow 16 and 17 year-olds to-marry her parents' consent. She was worked with legislators along with Brigitte Combs, child marriage survivor.

“I feel very relieved and grateful that this law has been passed. As a survivor of child marriage, this vote gives me hope for a safer future for children and honors survivors and advocates for "or courage made it possible," Combs stated. "Thanks to Senator Hamilton, to Representative Miller, to all the co-authors, to the Tahirih Justice Center and to the other advocacy organizations, and to every survivor who raised their voice."

Combs called on Republican Governor Kevin Stitt to enact the law “to protect all the children of Oklahoma and to serve as an example to other states.”

The bill passed in the state Senate last March was sponsored by Republican Senator Warren Hamilton and cosponsored by Democrat Mark Mann.

The mirror initiative in the state House of Representatives was led by Republican Representative Nicole Miller, with co-sponsorship by Democrats Mickey Dollens, Michelle McCane, Jared Deck, Annie Menz and Andy Fugate.

After its approval this Wednesday, with 51 votes 36, now the project goes to governor Stitt for his signature.

If Sttit signs the legislation, the law would come into force on 1 November 2026, although it will not affect marriages celebrated before its promulgation.

Casey Carter Swegman, public policy director at the Tahirih Justice Center, celebrated the bipartisan work of lawmakers.

“We are extremely pleased that the Oklahoma legislature has voted to ensure that no minor is ever again subjected to an abusive and exploitative legal contract.” What child marriage is. Since I began working with Brigitte Combs many years ago, I have been constantly inspired by her leadership, her effectiveness and “her unwavering dedication to justice for girls,” Carter Swegman said. “We wouldn’t be here today without her. Once this law is enacted, the girls “Oklahoma will be safer thanks to your efforts and the bravery of all the other survivors who are speaking up, telling their story, and demanding change.”

The danger of child marriage in the United States

Child marriage affects mainly girls. There are more than 300,000 cases between 2000 and 2018 of girls married to men. It is defined as child marriage when one or both partners are under 18 years old.

“Marriage before 18 has devastating lifelong consequences, such as increased vulnerability to sexual and domestic violence, increased physical and mental health issues, higher dropout rates, a higher risk of poverty and divorce rates up to 80% higher,” the Tahirih Justice Center reports.

Currently, child marriage is legal in 34 states, and in 4 US states there is no required minimum age for marriage, with the authorization of parents or a judge, warns the organization Equality Now.

In California there is an express ban on child marriage, like in other states, including New York, which since July 2021 became in the sixth state of the U.S. to raise the minimum age for marriage to 18 years without exceptions. The law was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.