TAKING SPACE: A Snapshot of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage — Insights from Oxfam and partners' work in the Philippines

Women and girls have fundamental human rights. When they are forced to marry at an early age, these rights get violated. It also hinders them from enjoying good psychological and physical well-being. Approximately 24% of 1,058 respondents (997 females, 61 males) from Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi were married before the age of18. Of those who married as minors, child marriage disproportionately affected girls at 97 percent. Out of all the female respondents, 245 or 24.6 percent were married when they were minors (below 18 years of age). Many adolescent brides experience health risks caused by frequently repeated pregnancies before they become physically and psychologically ready for responsible motherhood and child birth. Also, in many cases, girls drop out of school because of child marriage, pregnancy, and domestic chores.