SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — A group called United Women for Baja California is pushing legislation to change the penal code in the state to make it a crime for someone to marry a young girl or boy.
It wants harsher penalties for anyone who forces a minor into marriage.
“This is very common and troubling, especially when it comes to indigenous girls who are forced to marry,” said Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza, an activist and human rights attorney
According to Cruz Mendoza, it is heartbreaking to see young girls becoming mothers at such an early age.
“No girl can get used to becoming a mother without having the natural development in their bodies and minds,” she said.
Four states have already passed laws prohibiting marriage for young children including Campeche, Guerrero, Oaxaca and San Luis Potosí.
Cruz Mendoza wants the state of Baja California to join that group.
“Baja California has a high instance of these cases of infantile marriage due to its diversity and being a migratory hub,” she said. “We are the number two country in Latin America and eighth in the world that allows young girls to become wives, this happens in all 32 states in Mexico including large cities like Tijuana, Mexicali and Monterrey.”
The activists went on to tell the El Sol Newspaper in Tijuana that when women unite, they can accomplish great things.
“I fled my home to avoid having to marry someone, this is my history, my cause and my fight, our state congress needs to approve this reform providing rights to girls.”
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