Urgensi Pendidikan Gender Sebagai Upaya Mencegah Pernikahan Dini Pada Usia Remaja

Abstract

Early marriage remains a social issue that has significant impacts on adolescents’ educational, health, social, and economic well-being. One of the factors contributing to the high prevalence of early marriage is the limited understanding of gender roles and gender equality. This study aims to analyze the importance of gender education as an effort to prevent early marriage among adolescents, identify the role of gender awareness in shaping adolescents’ understanding of the risks associated with early marriage, and examine strategies for implementing gender education in schools and families. The research employed a qualitative approach using the library research method. Data were collected from various scientific journals, government reports, and relevant regulations, and were analyzed through content analysis and thematic analysis techniques. The findings indicate that a sound understanding of gender roles and gender equality is closely related to adolescents’ awareness of the risks of early marriage. Adequate gender literacy encourages adolescents to place greater value on education, reproductive health, and future planning, thereby strengthening their ability to resist and prevent child marriage practices. The implementation of gender education can be carried out through the integration of gender-related materials into the school curriculum, peer educator programs, counseling services, and gender-responsive parenting practices within families. Therefore, gender education serves as a strategic and effective instrument for increasing adolescents’ awareness and reducing the risk of early marriage through collaboration among schools, families, communities, and the government.