2009-05-13T14:55:36Z opencongress.org tag:opencongress.org,2007:/bill/comments/56996 2009-05-13T14:55:36Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-05-13:/comment/106787 qldaustralia I absolutely suport this legislation! Though most countries have laws prohibiting child marriage (a marriage under the age of 18, or as determined by that country). However, this practice is still common in some places. Child marriage, especially of very young children, has extremely negative consequences for the child, but also for a community. Because girls marry young, they are unable to finish school, which is one of the major pathways out of poverty. Also, there are significant health consequences including HIV, high meternal mortality, domestic abuse, and fistula. This is an incredibly important issue and urgently needs to be addressed!