Today, we celebrate a historic victory in the Golden State.
After nearly a decade of advocacy, AB 1267 has officially passed, ending child marriage in California by setting the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law, marking a major milestone in the fight to protect children and ensure that every young person has the freedom to choose their own future.
This milestone, once thought impossible, is a testament to the persistence and courage of survivors and supporters like you who refused to give up.
Reactions
“It literally means everything to me to have been able to be a part of passing legislation to end child marriage in my home state. It means validation and hope for the future and hope to think we might be able to end child marriage nationwide.
To have come from absolutely nothing, not even having a home to call my own after leaving my abusive child marriage, to somehow finding my inner strength to carry on and persevere. To have gone through all that to now passing legislation that would protect girls like me who have been abused and silenced is nothing short of miraculous.
It takes so many people to care about an issue like this to actually change it. So I want to thank everyone who cared, supported, allied, and stood up to challenge the laws that allowed child marriage to happen. Today we have changed the course of so many young people’s lives. I’m eternally grateful.”
— Sara Tasneem, survivor of child marriage from California
“This journey has taken almost ten years, and there were many moments when the obstacles felt overwhelming. But survivors never stopped telling their stories, and advocates like AHA, Unchained At Last, and other members of the California Coalition to end Child Marriage, never stopped fighting beside them. Today, California showed that their courage matters and that no child should ever be left unprotected.”
— Michele Hanash, Director of Policy and Women’s Programs, AHA Foundation
What This Means Nationally
With this victory, California becomes the 18th state to ban child marriage with no exceptions and the 2nd state this year to take action.
But 32 states still leave girls unprotected, and thousands of children face this dangerous practice every single year.
This work must continue until every child in the United States is protected.
Our Commitment
AHA Foundation remains dedicated to ending child marriage nationwide.
We will continue supporting survivors, advancing policy reform, and raising awareness UNTIL EVERY STATE sets the marriage age at 18 with no exceptions. Join us.