Various government agencies, civil society organizations, and youth groups pushed for the wider information dissemination and implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Law in the country on Thursday. The call is also timely following the recent prosecution of the Socorro “cult” leaders and members involved in the facilitation and solemnization of forced marriages […]

For someone who is barely five feet, 17-year-old “Nana” walks tall and proud among volunteers in the small rural town of Ganassi in Lanao del Sur.   With a smile as bright as sunshine, Nana recalled how at 14, she was among Grade 8 students selected to be part of an advocacy training facilitated by the […]

Members of the ‘Girl Defenders’ alliance on Wednesday welcome the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11596, also known as an “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof.” The Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development and the international humanitarian and […]

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 […]

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 […]

International humanitarian and development organization Oxfam on Tuesday lauded the House of Representatives for approving on 2nd reading House Bill 9943, which seeks to end child marriage in the country. “We are one step closer to the finish line. The passage of this landmark legislation means a safer future for many Filipino children. We need […]

International humanitarian and development organization Oxfam on Wednesday welcomed the House of Representatives Committee on Women and Gender Equality’s (CWGE) decision to approve in principle a proposed bill seeking to end child marriage in the country. The committee approved House Bills nos. 1486, 3899, 5670 & 7922 in principle and directed its secretariat to draft […]