Child Marriage in NTB: Minister for Women's Empowerment Urges Continuation of Education

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi has urged two children who married in Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara to continue their education so that children’s right to education remains fulfilled despite the marriage taking place.

“We highlight the right of the child to education so that it remains fulfilled despite the occurrence of marriage,” said Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Choiri Fauzi in Jakarta on Tuesday.

This was stated in response to the marriage involving two children aged 13 and 15 years old in Pancor Hamlet, Tumpak Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara.

The Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection expressed deep concern over the recurrence of child marriage.

According to her, the practice of child marriage constitutes a violation of children’s rights that can have serious consequences on health, education and the child’s future.

The Ministry for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has coordinated with local partners, including the Child Protection Agency (LPA) Lombok and law enforcement officials in West Nusa Tenggara.

Currently, discussions are being held with the Criminal Investigation Directorate for Women and Children’s Cases (Reserse PPA) of the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police regarding the possibility of law enforcement measures, as was previously conducted in a similar case in West Lombok in 2025.

Previously, a video circulated widely on social media showing the marriage ceremony of two children in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, allegedly held on Thursday (5 March).

The girl is still a junior secondary school (SMP) student. Meanwhile, the boy is known to have dropped out of school.

Internet users expressed regret over the child marriage which took place during the month of Ramadan.