House panel hailed for approving in principle bill ending child marriage

International humanitarian and development organization Oxfam on Wednesday welcomed the approval in principle at the committee level of the proposed measure meant to stop child marriage in the Philippines.

In a statement, Oxfam said the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality is set to draft a substitute bill for ending child marriage, which will be up for consideration and approval.

The Senate already passed the version of its bill in 2020.

At the House committee hearing on Wednesday, Jeanette Dulawan, gender justice program manager of Oxfam Philippines, said minors getting married was a form of child abuse and a serious public health issue.

She added that the proposed bill that would prevent child marriage would enhance mechanisms in protecting children.

“In Oxfam, we believe that ending child marriage requires a coordinated multi-sectoral approach that will engage girls, boys, parents, teachers, national and local authorities and decision makers, and a broad range of other stakeholders,” Dulawan said.

Dulawan also advised lawmakers to include a provision which requires duty-bearers to ensure that women and girls are not only consulted, but also able to "participate fully in all stages of decision-making."

“Oxfam Philippines recent research looked into the social norms and beliefs towards sexual and reproductive health of selected communities and found strong evidence that prevailing negative attitudes and gendered expectations are harming women and girls,” Dulawan said.

“As with other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage is rooted in gender inequality and poverty. Early marriage is seen as a way to ‘sanction’ girls for premarital sexual activity and pregnancy outside marriage,” she added.

Citing Oxfam's programs, Dulawan said their organization learned that there was a need to form partnerships with community members such as in conflict-affected Mindanao to deliver culturally appropriate responses to address sensitive issues.

House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy, one of the author of the bills, underscored a creation of a law to ban child marriage and provide programs to prevent forced or early marriage.

“[This is to] ensure that all Filipino children have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential,” Herrera-Dy said.

According to UNICEF, the Philippines ranked 12th worldwide among countries with highest numbers of child marriages.

Oxfam is a non-government organization that seeks to end poverty through supporting women and other vulnerable groups. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News