ROLE OF LOCAL INSTITUTION IN EARLY MARRIAGE ISSUE: A CASE STUDY IN SOME PROVINCES IN INDONESIA

The impact of early marriage is closely related to the economic condition of the family and affects the poverty of women who experience it. This study aims to comprehensively examine the extent to which local socio-economic condition affects early marriage and the extent of policy-makers’ role in preventing it. In addition, this study also aims to obtain inaccurate overview of current policies and policy recommendations related to government’s effort in controlling marriage age in Indonesia. Data were obtained using cross-sectional method in four provinces with high marriage rates based on Riskesdas 2010 data (South Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, Central Sulawesi and West Java). The research is qualitative using explorative approach. Based on the research result, the root of early marriage problem in four provinces is related to several dimensions such as: modernization, education, economic and socio-cultural pressure. Another result of the analysis is that the role of customary and religious institutions are very strategic as a tool of social control in controlling early marriage. In addition, it was concluded that weak inter-sectoral coordination and government policy planning in early marriage control are among the issues to be addressed