A research on child marriage in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi commissioned by UNICEF Philippines and the Australian government, with ThinkPlace Philippines as study partner, produced a report on why the Muslim practice persists and how to deal with it.

The organization released on 7 October the report titled “Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU),” which also suggests interventions to protect children’s rights.

The report identified religious beliefs, family honor, poverty, lack of livelihood and the weak enforcement of the law against child marriage are main drivers of the prevalence of CEFMU in Bongao and Jolo, the areas covered by the research.

Early marriage is often seen as a way to avoid perceived immoral behavior such as premarital sex or pregnancies, or to uphold family reputation, according to the report.

Families facing financial hardship may view marriage as a way to alleviate economic burden (food expenses, for example), or to secure perceived financial security for daughters, the report adds.

“These factors rob young girls of their childhood, their education, and their right to a healthy and dignified life,” PNA quoted UNICEF-Philippines child protection chief Patricia Lim Ah Ken as saying during a webinar on the report. “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 CEFMU often leads to school dropouts, early pregnancies and health complications for young mothers.

To counter CEFMU, UNICEF suggests a multi-pronged approach. Scholarships and alternative learning systems should be offered to those at risk of dropping out. 

Offering livelihood opportunities, women’s empowerment and other economic interventions for families helps change perception that marriage is the only or best way to protect against sexual violence or premarital relationships, and preserve moral or religious standards.

UNICEF also believes on working with local faith-based leaders to align messaging with religious values, and shift norms from within communities. 

Moreover, communities must be educated about Republic Act 11596 (Prohibition of Child Marriage Law, 2022), show how it protects rather than conflicts with values, strengthen reporting and accountability, ensure visible consequences where violations occur. 

There should also be communication that shift perceptions around honor, marriage and childhood.

Interventions on the part of UNICEF Philippines include capacity building for social workers, improving referral mechanisms for children at risk, legal and policy support, and community-based case management. 

UNICEF also supports the P245-million project in conflict-affected municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao launched in January 2023. The project aims to strengthen health, education, child protection, basic services and also psychosocial support, especially for those affected by displacement. 

By improving access to education, child protection, and essential services, it indirectly addresses some of the risk factors for child marriage — poverty, disrupted schooling, and lack of alternative opportunities.