Child Marriage: An Exploratory Study in Aik Mual, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) is one of the Indonesian provinces suffering a high rate of child marriage. According to data from the Ministry of Religion's Regional Office for WNT Province, West Lombok Regency (Praya), in 2020, there were 135 marriage dispensation applications. Furthermore, data from the Praya Religious Court indicates 136 child marriages from February to June 2021. The significant prevalence of the case has influenced the local community's social, economic, and educational status. Based on these factors, this exploratory qualitative study attempts to investigate the phenomenon of child marriage in Aik Mual, East Sekotong Village, Lembar District, West Lombok Regency, WNT. The findings of this study imply that several variables, including the economy, a lack of education, and the Merariq Kodeq custom, drive child marriage. To reduce the number of cases, the local government implements various policies and programs concerning women's empowerment and child protection, ultimately changing people's perceptions of options for children other than marriage at an early age.