Preventing Child Marriage in Lampung:

An Analysis of the Community Embedded Implementation Process Adopted for the Provincial Regulation Number 55 of 2021 and its Harmonisation with Local Custom and Islamic Law

Rohmadi

 

Abstract: Indonesia’s Marriage Act (1974) requires a minimum of 19 years of age for both boys and girls at the time of marriage with parental permission and 21 years without parental consent. However, religious courts or local officials can authorise marriages of younger girls with no requirement of minimum age in such cases. According to the data from the High Court of Religion, 649 pairs of children applied for dispensation from the age of marriage in 2022-2023 based on pregnancy out of wedlock. The Provincial Regulation Number 55 of 2021 concerning the prevention of child marriages in Lampung Province aims to counter this issue of child marriage. This article examines the implementation process adopted for Provincial Regulation Number 55 of 2021 concerning preventing child marriages in Lampung Province and argues that the community-embedded implementation process for Lampung Province regulation is harmonious with Islamic law and local customs. The Provincial Regulation is appropriate with the purpose, wisdom, and conditions for marriage set out in Islamic law. Although it is too early to assess the actual impact of this Regulation, the community embedded implementation process adopted for its implementation is likely to provide an effective means to reduce the high rate of child marriages in the Province.