California has officially banned child marriage.

California has officially banned child marriage.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to end the practice, which is still legal in 32 US states.

Under this new law, which will take effect on January 1st, people must be 18 years old to get married in the state of California.

Mr. Newsom called this action a step that "should have been taken a long time ago to protect young people and minors in California."

He signed this bill into law in the presence of "Courtney Stodden"; Someone who married a 50-year-old Hollywood actor at the age of 16 with the consent of his parents.

Ms Stodden, who campaigned to end the practice, called the signing of the law a "victory" and said victims of child marriage "should never have had to bear this burden". Women's rights activists say many Americans don't even know that child marriage is legal in many states in this country, or that it has led to cases of harassment and abuse.

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