International humanitarian and development organization Oxfam joins the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD)’s commendation of the signing into law of Republic Act (RA) No. 11596, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof”. “After years of advocacy and lobbying, we finally achieved a historic win. […]

International humanitarian and development organization Oxfam joins the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD)’s commendation of the signing into law of Republic Act (RA) No. 11596, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof”. “After years of advocacy and lobbying, we finally achieved a historic win. […]

Rohainie Sahari was busy attending to her online class when a distant relative visited her parents. “Although both were talking in whispers, I could hear my mom saying, let’s just ask her if she is willing. I will talk to her,” said 20-year-old Rohainie. Rohainie was shocked to learn that the relative was proposing an […]

In 2017, Asliah and her family lost almost everything in a huge fire that gutted their house and dozens others in Campo Ranao, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.In 2017, Asliah and her family lost almost everything in a huge fire that gutted their house and dozens others in Campo Ranao, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. […]

Juanday and Farhana are childhood best friends who grew up in Guindulungan, Maguindanao. They were classmates from elementary until college, and both were student leaders. Since grade school, Juanday and Farhana witnessed early child and forced marriages and violence against women in their community.  According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in the Philippines, […]

Asma chose to be married at the age of 15, but her mother did not allow her. According to her, she decided to marry her current husband because of love.  “Early marriage is legal to us Muslims. However, I realized that it is difficult to marry and become a mother at an early age, especially […]

In a historic and unanimous vote among Senators, Senate Bill 1373, also known as the ‘Girls Not Brides Act’ has passed the third and final reading on Monday, November 9. The Act criminalizes marriage between an adult and a minor (children below 18 years old), and was authored and sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Aside […]

In time for the International Day of the Girl Child and a few weeks before the close of the second regular session of 18th Congress, more than 200 ‘Girl Defenders’ joined an online grand solidarity rally organized by Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), with support from Oxfam Pilipinas. The rally was dubbed ‘#GirlDefenders Speak […]

The campaign to criminalize child marriage is gaining ground in the Philippines. So far, this 18th Congress, four bills have been filed in both houses that aim to penalize perpetrators of child marriage, including parents or legal guardians who facilitate this harmful practice. The bills also propose a coordinated set of preventive actions across government […]