Ending Child Marriage in Ohio

Though Ohio made huge strides in 2019 by putting age limits on marrying, it is time to make this legal agreement strictly for adults 18 and older. Currently, only four states and two US Territories have laws to prevent child marriage.

77% of child marriage in the US is between young girls and adult men. Marrying so young doubles a girl's chance to live in poverty, increases the likelihood of dropping out of school, triples her chances for being a victim of domestic violence, and increases the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Being children, they have no recourse to file for protection or divorce.

Current Ohio marriage laws don't go far enough to protect our girls and boys. Please join Zonta in asking our State Representatives and Senators to take action and propose that all marriages be between consenting adults, with no exceptions.