With the recent approval of House Bill No. 9943 or the “Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof” on its third and final reading at the House of Representatives, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is hopeful with the government’s commitment to uphold the best interest of the child and to end the abusive practice of child marriage in the Philippines.

In November 2020, its counterpart bill in the Senate, Senate Bill No. 1373 or the proposed “Girls Not Brides Act” was also approved.

The CHR has been consistent in reiterating its previous stance that marriage before the age of 18 is a fundamental violation of the rights of a child that impacts every aspect of a child’s dignity and life. It undermines girls’ health, including sexual and reproductive health rights, and increases the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Furthermore, early marriage interrupts girls’ education and compromises their political and economic participation.

This welcome development recognises the State’s obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child; the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; and Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitations, and Discrimination Act.”

Together with the proponents of both versions of the anti-child marriage law, the Commission works toward giving children an opportunity to break free from coerced practices driven mostly by religious, cultural, and economic pressures. The CHR also expresses its commitment in working with various government agencies in addressing the problem of child marriage and recognises the hard work of various children and women’s rights network in the country that pushed for this change.

As part of its mandate, the Commission continues to look for other avenues in raising awareness on the impacts of child marriage and in strengthening its programs to ensure children’s protection, access to justice, and addressing other vulnerabilities.

We hope for the immediate passage of the law, while we all seek ways on how we can provide better living conditions and a nurturing a society to every Filipino child, so they can exercise freely their rights and reach their full potentials. ###