REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PEKANBARU - Deputy of Family Welfare and Family Empowerment in National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), Sudibyo Alimoeso explained that early marriage in Indonesia led to some problems, including domestic violence and divorce. In East Nusa Tenggara for example, there is a tradition which a teenage boy runs with his girlfriend to get married later.

"East Kalimantan has the highest rate of early marriage then followed by Banten, West Java, and Bangka Belitung at the age of 19-20 years," Alimoeso said recently.

Early marriage can easily lead to divorce since in many cases, the men do not have job to support their families. According to Indonesian law on marriage, officially the bride and groom must be at least 18 year old to tie the knot. While in fact, the It is quite often couples get married under the required age. 

In many cases, under 18 year old brides likely suffer from domestic violence during their marriage. Their reproductive organs are also not ready to bear children, so marriage at young age can lead to higher maternal mortality rates.

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