Real Talk

What You Need to Know about the Law Banning Child Marriage in the Philippines

Filipino Muslim minors were previously allowed to be married but are now prohibited under Republic Act 11596.

After many years of fighting for child marriage to be banned in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11596 or known as the “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties Thereof.” This means those caught in the act of marrying their children early will face penalties.

The law, which was signed last December 10 voids from the beginning any child marriage that was done. Here are some of the important details to know regarding the new law.

Prohibitions under the new law

Among the prohibitions in the anti-child marriage act includes the facilitation of marriage, which means those who are caught in the act can face imprisonment and a penalty amounting to P40,000 to P50,000 depending on the violation.

Those who will solemnize child marriages on the other hand will also face imprisonment and a penalty amounting to P50,000. If the person is a public official, he or she faces dismissal and disqualification from office.

Adults who are caught cohabiting with children out of wedlock will also be penalized and will face imprisonment.

Government Agencies involved in implementing the law

Under the law, various agencies have been tasked to make sure that this is implemented. Leading the agencies are the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Council of the Welfare of Children (CWC), Department of Justice, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which is one of the agencies also involved in implementing the law has been asked to include a program to raise awareness in the Muslim communities regarding the effects of child marriage on the child and their development.

Repeal the act

Prior to the law, Muslim Filipinos were allowed to be married as minors under Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws. Under the Decree, men and women under the age of 15 are allowed to get married

Non-Muslims on the other hand in the Philippines are allowed to get married once they reach the age of 18.

But Section 13 of the law changes that all. Under section 13, it says that laws, acts, executive orders, and issuances that were “inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.”

A positive news for children

The sign of the law is welcome news to many non-government organizations and children’s activists who have been advocating to stop child marriage in the country. According to the statistics provided by the Girls Not Brides organizations, the Philippines has the 10th highest number of women getting married before the age of 18.

With the new law now enacted, this signals small steps of change for children forced into getting married early. They will not be protected and can have the good future that they want without being violated.

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