Early marriage, defined as marriage before the age of 18, is a significant issue in the Philippines. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the Philippines has the 12th highest rate of early marriage in the world, with approximately 1 in 4 girls marrying before the age of 18. Early marriage can have serious consequences for both individuals and society, including increased risk of domestic violence, limited educational and economic opportunities, and negative impacts on physical and mental health.
There are several causes of early marriage in the Philippines, including cultural and societal norms, poverty, and a lack of access to education.
One of the main drivers of early marriage in the Philippines is cultural and societal norms. In many parts of the country, particularly in rural and tribal communities, early marriage is seen as a way to ensure the financial security and social status of young girls. These marriages are often arranged by the families of the bride and groom, and are motivated by the belief that it is the duty of a woman to marry and have children. In addition, traditional gender roles and expectations often dictate that girls should prioritize marriage and family over education and career.
Poverty is another major factor that contributes to early marriage in the Philippines. For many families living in poverty, marriage can seem like a way to provide financial stability and security for their daughters. In these cases, the families of young girls may see marriage as a way to ease the burden of poverty on their daughters, or to secure a dowry or other financial benefits.
A lack of access to education is also a contributing factor to early marriage in the Philippines. Many young girls in the country do not have access to quality education, particularly in rural and impoverished areas. Without access to education, girls may feel that they have limited options and may see marriage as their only path to a secure future.
To address the issue of early marriage in the Philippines, it is important to address the underlying cultural and societal norms that contribute to the practice. This may involve promoting gender equality and challenging traditional gender roles and expectations. In addition, improving access to education and addressing poverty can help to provide young girls with more opportunities and alternatives to early marriage. Finally, it is important to provide support and resources to those who have experienced early marriage, to help mitigate the negative impacts on their physical and mental health and well-being.
Victory for Children’s Rights: Ending Child Marriage in the Philippines
For those between 21 and 25 years of age, PARENTAL ADVICE must be secured. Once the agreement has been made, the father of the bridge and the groom position their thumbs so that either the father of the bride or imam guides the groom to put his thumb into the forehead of the bride, or the groom does this alone, after making several circular motions around her head 3 times. Both rings and arrhae are blessed first by the priest during the wedding. Elizabeth Samama, a provincial health officer in ARMM, said having children at a young age poses serious health risks. The second governs the nikah, which follows the Islamic tradition. Meanwhile, the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey said that one in 5 girls is a mother by 19 years old. But there are also obvious shortfalls with such lists, especially in the statistical reports.
Is Early marriage allowed in the Philippines?
A musical troupe and special ensemble called gabbang-biola or gabbang would start playing to a crowd of attendees, and this would happen for any portion of the night from the end of the Isha prayer to the Subuh prayer. The nikah itself resembles other Muslim weddings in its solemnity, but differs from Mindanaon and conservative Muslim groups by the presence of the bride, along with her father and the groom and father of the groom, and imam. Teach your female child to be Conclusion We live in an ever-advancing world, it is important that we stay updated. Hence, they take up the responsibility of searching for a partner for their daughter before she attains the marriageable age. Asma decided to continue her studies at Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, taking up agricultural education. As a means of survival, most parents ship off their daughters to make end means. They are also usually deprived of education, normal childhood experiences, and even human rights.
10 significant causes of early marriage
If proper care is not taken your child may end up as a young teenage mother. In the Islamic law called Sharia, under age teens are allowed to marry each other. Lots of food is prepared for the wedding, and is shared among all guests as part of sadaqah. In the Philippines, 15% of girls are married before they reach their 18th birthday and 2% are married before the age of 15. Pre-marital relations are forbidden in Muslim culture and to protect the girl's chastity, she is forced into marriage. Armed conflict The Department of Social Welfare and Development estimates that 126,225 individuals are still living in evacuation centres since the outbreak of renewed fighting between the government and the Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in August 2008.
