Law Development Journal
Vol 8, No 1 (2026): March 2026

Legal Perspectives on Underage Marriage in The Dayak Customary Society: Challenges and Human Rights Protection

Hayati, Mulida (Unknown)
Septian Noor, Rico (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study examines the conflict between state law and Dayak customary law regarding underage marriage practices. Using a legal pluralism framework and a socio-legal approach, this study analyses the customary rationality that legitimises these practices and their impact on human rights, particularly for women. The method used is empirical legal research, which fundamentally examines law in its social context. This choice is based on the research objective to understand how state law, particularly the Marriage Law, interacts and often conflicts with Dayak customary law that is alive and practised by the community. The results of this study show that customary marriage, driven by socio-economic factors and efforts to avoid communal sanctions, creates legal dualism that hinders children's access to fundamental rights to education and health. This study concludes that repressive law enforcement is ineffective and recommends an accommodative protection model.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

ldj

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

The aims of this journal is to provide a venue for academicians, researchers and practitioners for publishing the original research articles or review articles. The focus and scope of the articles published in this journal deal with a broad range of topics, including: Criminal Law; Civil Law; ...