California was on the verge of taking significant steps toward ending forced child marriages, but the opposition has now threatened this progress. Actress Alyssa Milano and Fraidy Reiss, Founder of our partner Unchained At Last, spoke to The Mercury News to showcase the problem with forced child marriages.

Reform efforts blocked

After Assembly member Ash Kalra of San Jose called for amendments that critics argue would undermine a pivotal bill designed to set the minimum age for marriage at 18, this bill is now at risk of stalling without a hearing in the Judiciary Committee, which Kalra chairs. Despite the bill’s extensive support, including endorsements from the California Teachers Association and the Legislative Women’s Caucus, it faces unexpected opposition from within the state, including the ACLU of California and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, who argue that the ban might push minors in abusive relationships out of reach of social services.

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