MANILA – Cultural and religious norms, poverty and weak law enforcement continue to drive cases of child marriage in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Philippines said Tuesday. In a webinar, the organization launched the report titled Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU). It revealed that early and forced marriages remain prevalent in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) despite the passage of Republic Act 11596 or the Prohibition of Child Marriage law. In Jolo, Sulu, and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, two of the region’s most affected areas, families often view early marriage as a means to preserve family honor or adhere to religious expectations. In some communities, marriage is seen as a way to prevent what is considered haram or actions prohibited under Islamic law, such as premarital relationships or pregnancies outside marriage. Economic hardship also contributes significantly, with some parents marrying off their daughters to reduce household expenses or to provide what they perceive as better financial security. “These factors rob young girls of their childhood, their education, and their right to a healthy and dignified life,” UNICEF-Philippines Child Protection chief Patricia Lim Ah Ken said. “Every girl deserves the chance to grow into adulthood with dignity, health, and hope. UNICEF stands with communities of every faith and tradition to protect girls and uphold their right to choose their future.” UNICEF Philippines Mindanao Field Office child protection specialist Rohannie Datumanong said the Philippines ranks 12th globally in the absolute number of child marriages, with one in six girls married before age 18. In the BARMM, rates are significantly higher. A 2021 study by the Bangsamoro Women Commission estimated that 88,600 girls got married before reaching 18. Another survey by Plan International and the Women’s Refugee Commission found that 15 out of every 100 girls in BARMM are married before age 18, and two before age 15. Baraguir-Datumanong noted that child marriage often leads to school dropouts, early pregnancies, and health complications for young mothers — issues that perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality. “One of the drivers of the CEFMU is the family norms and decision-making authority. Parents, especially fathers, should decide on the children’s marriages, to protect family dignity and religious and cultural responsibility,” she said. The study, which was commissioned by UNICEF with support from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the problem. It includes:
* Keeping girls in school through scholarships and alternative learning programs;
* Providing economic support for vulnerable families through livelihood and women’s empowerment initiatives;
* Expanding social and behavior change communication; and
* Engaging religious and community leaders to promote child rights and challenge harmful practices.
UNICEF said ending child marriage in the Bangsamoro region requires not only legal enforcement but also sustained community education, interfaith dialogue, and the empowerment of women and girls to make their own choices about marriage and their future.
