Viral Video of 7-Year-Old Girl's Engagement in Madura Sparks Controversy

A video showing the engagement ceremony of a 7-year-old girl in Dharma Camplong village, Sampang, Madura, has gone viral on social media, prompting widespread discussion and concern.

The girl's parents, Haji Zahri and Haja Zainab, explained that the engagement was the result of a vow made between the two families while they were working in Saudi Arabia.

In the video, the young girl can be seen shaking hands with guests who came to her house for the engagement event. The families decided to fulfill their vow by holding the ceremony, even though the girl is still a child. The parents clarified that the actual marriage will take place when the children are adults, and the engagement is only meant to strengthen the relationship between the families.

Why this matters: The viral video has sparked a broader conversation about child marriage and the rights of children in Indonesia. While the parents maintain that the engagement is a symbolic gesture, critics argue that it normalizes the idea of child marriage and may have negative psychological impacts on the young girl involved.

Haji Zahri and Haja Zainab emphasized that the engagement does not equate to an immediate marriage. "The marriage will take place when the children are adults," they stated, adding that the ceremony was held to honor the vow made between the families while working abroad in Saudi Arabia.

The viral nature of the video has brought attention to the issue of child marriage, which remains a concern in some parts of Indonesia. While the legal age of marriage in the country is 19 for men and 16 for women, exceptions can be made with parental consent or religious courts' approval.

Key Takeaways

• 7-year-old girl's engagement ceremony in Madura, Indonesia goes viral.
• Engagement was result of vow between families while working in Saudi Arabia.
• Actual marriage to occur when children are adults, not immediate.
• Engagement sparks debate on child marriage and children's rights in Indonesia.
• Legal marriage age in Indonesia is 19 for men, 16 for women with exceptions.