"Marry at 12 and Serve Your Husband..." Public Outrage Over Indonesian Marriage Agency Advertisement

"Depend on Men as Quickly as Possible" Advertisement

Advertisement posted on the website of Indonesian marriage information company 'Aisha Wedding'. Photo by Aisha Wedding website.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] An Indonesian wedding company is facing public backlash after releasing an advertisement encouraging child marriage.

According to The Straits Times and others on the 14th, the Indonesian matchmaking company 'Aisha Wedding' advertised, "Girls should marry from the age of 12 because their duty is to 'serve their husbands.'"

Aisha Wedding's advertisement included phrases such as "Depend on men as soon as possible for a stable and happy home!" "You should depend on men as early as possible. Don't burden your parents, find a man sooner!" and "To please Allah, girls aged 12 to 21 must marry."

The company also stated, "There are families without money for their children. Marrying is better than starving to death," and "Parents who want to find a husband for their daughters, please contact us. Send your daughter's photo and information!" The advertisement clearly reflected outdated views on marriage.

As the advertisement promoting child marriage spread, Indonesian public opinion has erupted in anger.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) reported the company to the police. KPAI Vice Chairperson Rita Pranawati stated, "Aisha Wedding's advertisement encourages underage marriage. Early marriage deprives children of their rights to education, childcare, and health, and violates children's human rights."

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection also warned, "Personal information of children sent to matchmaking companies can become targets for other crimes such as sexual and economic exploitation and human trafficking."

According to Indonesian law enacted in 2019, the minimum marriage age with parental consent is 19, and without parental consent, the minimum marriage age is 21. This law was revised by the Indonesian government to prevent child marriage. The government has also conducted campaigns opposing child marriage.

Indonesian police authorities are investigating the company and warning parents that "early marriage is illegal."

However, in Indonesia, nikah siri (secret marriages) conducted according to Islamic law without official marriage registration still occur. UNICEF reported that "1 in 9 women in Indonesia marry before the age of 18, making child marriage the eighth highest in the world."