Judicial Review of Article 7 verse 1 Act 1/1974 about marriage (Marriage Act) was being pleaded on Thursday (9/4). The judicial review was filed by Women’s Health Foundation (YKP).

In the testimonial hearing, some foundations involved and presented as related parties. Mitra Kayana Foundation, explained that its involvement took place after seeing many of violations happened to many underage women. Reni Handayani expressed that underage marriage results to nothing but to set limitation for women’s activity. “This happened due to the patriarch law we adopt here, underage wives still have to manage their household and other risks. They might be carrying miscarriage or other lethal risks, due to their undeveloped reproduction organs,” She explained toward Panel of Justice, led by Chief Justice Arief Hidayat.    

Underage wives also are vulnerable to household abuse (KDRT) because of their lower status in the family itself. “UNO has warned us about these things, after it stole world’s attention,” he explained.

Another related party, Rahmah Association, represented by Sita Dewi explained that dispensation of which was issued by court because of out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Therefore, such dispensation shouldn’t be issued at the first place. “This issued for the wrong reason,” he revealed.

Plaintiff’s witness Masri, who was married at the age of fifteen, explains that she was forced to marry a guy that she doesn’t love. “I was married when I was in the high school (SMP), but it is really common in my residence,” She explained.     

Masri revealed that her status is uncertain as her marriage isn’t booked in KUA. She also disclosed that she is now schooling in specialized high school (SMK).

In the pleading, the Plaintiff says that minimum age of marriage, 16 years old, is too risky for the development of the women. During the pregnancy, this underage to-be-mother may seize the nutrition that actually belongs to the fetus. Also, such marriages are most likely ended up in divorce. The minimum age also is seen to trespass another law which says that 18 years old is the minimum age a person regarded as mature. (Lulu Anjarsari/mh/kun)