A RECENT event in Northern Mindanao has brought attention to a serious issue: child marriage and its negative effects on the mental and physical health of young individuals.
The Women’s Forum was held to educate and discuss the impacts of this practice.
The Commission on Human Rights in Region 10 (CHR-10) highlighted during the forum that children forced into relationships with adults face psychological harm.
This happens because they are vulnerable, not educated enough, have no choice, and often suffer abuse.
At the forum, Lawyer Hevah Salic from CHR-10 shared disturbing data from the Philippines.
She revealed that many girls and boys are still getting married before they legally should.
Girls under 18 make up 16.5 percent, and some marry even before turning 15.
According to Salic, there is a worrying silence around the issue because many do not understand the law.
She mentioned a municipality in Northern Mindanao where no cases of violence against women and children have been reported, possibly due to lack of awareness.
Salic stressed that even a single case of child marriage is a form of child abuse.
She pointed out the risk of pregnancy for young girls, which is often the result of child marriage, and noted that sexual activities often occur in these marriages, whether there is consent or not.
The Philippine constitution contains provisions that respect cultural practices, including those related to marriage.
However, Salic clarified that while tradition is respected, technically, marriages resulting from these practices are not recognized under civil law.
The forum addressed the laws against child marriage, which prohibit the facilitation and solemnization of such marriages, as well as cohabitation between an adult and a minor.
Breaking these laws can lead to criminal charges and penalties.
Kyle Colin C. Nulada, a student who attended the forum, expressed how the event helped him understand his rights.
He said it would allow him to recognize crimes against minors and aid him in protecting and fighting for their rights.
The event showed the collaborative efforts of government agencies working to educate young people about their civil rights and how to defend against illegal acts.
The forum aimed to end child marriage by spreading knowledge and awareness.
The importance of recognizing the rights of women, men, and children was a central theme of the forum.
The event emphasized that understanding one’s rights is crucial in combating child marriage and its associated harms.
The forum’s messages were clear: child marriage is a violation of human rights and it can have long-lasting negative effects on the health and well-being of young people.
The Women’s Forum, through its discussions and educational efforts, has taken a significant step toward ending child marriage.
It has planted the seeds of awareness and empowerment in the minds of participants, who are now better equipped to stand up against this injustice. (With a report from Maria Garen A. Balingan/ PIA -10)
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